Heterocycle catalyzed carbonylation and hydroformylation with carbon dioxide

A method for carbonylation with carbon dioxide, comprising:

• (A) introducing water to a first compartment of an electrochemical cell, said first compartment including an aqueous electrolyte and an anode;
• (B) introducing carbon dioxide to a second compartment of said electrochemical cell, said second compartment including a solution of the aqueous electrolyte, a heterocyclic catalyst, and a cathode;
• (C) introducing at least one of a carboxylic acid, an aldehyde, acetylene, or an epoxide to said second compartment of said electrochemical cell;
• and
• (D) applying an electrical potential between said anode and said cathode in said electrochemical cell sufficient for said cathode to induce liquid phase carbonylation to form a product mixture.

A method for carbonylation with carbon dioxide, comprising:

• (A) introducing water to a first compartment of an electrochemical cell, said first compartment including an aqueous electrolyte and an anode;
• (B) introducing carbon dioxide to a second compartment of said electrochemical cell, said second compartment including a solution of the aqueous electrolyte, a heterocyclic catalyst, and a cathode, the heterocyclic catalyst including pyridine;
• (C) introducing glyoxal to said second compartment of said electrochemical cell;
• and
• (D) applying an electrical potential between said anode and said cathode in said electrochemical cell sufficient for said cathode to induce liquid phase carbonylation to form a product mixture.