The Electrogenerated cyanomethyl anion: an old base still smart
ConspectusThe cathodic reduction of acetonitrile solutions containing a tetraalkylammonium salt leads to the formation of the cyanomethyl anion (-CH2CN, cyanomethanide). This electrolysis can be carried out under very simple experimental conditions (constant-current electrolyses), using various cathodic materials, controlling the amount of base by simply controlling the amount of charge.