Electrolytic carboxylation of acetonitrile and alpha-substituted acetonitriles

The method of electrolytic carboxylation of acetonitrile and alpha-substituted acetonitriles having at least one hydrogen attached to the carbon located alpha to the cyano group, where the alpha substituent is hydrogen or an organic group selected from alkyl containing 1 to 10 carbons, inclusive, aralkyl, aryl, oxy, thio, phosphino, and amino, which comprises electrolytic reduction at the cathode by electrolysis in a liquid medium consisting essentially of such acetonitrile compound, supporting electrolyte, and added carbon dioxide, and recovering an alpha-cyano carboxylated product of such acetonitrile compound.