The cathodic reduction of -ketoacids and /3-ketoesters has been studied. The -carboxyl group in -ketoacids has been found to promote reduction but not pinacol formation compared with a phenyl group. It also has a pronounced effect upon the stereoisomeric identity of the pinacol product, unlike unsubstituted ketones. The carbethoxy group in /3-ketoesters inhibits pinacol formation in acid medium and favors hydroxy acid in alkaline medium.
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