Methyl (±)-2-acetoxy-3-carboxypropionate has been prepared from (±)-malic acid and used in crossed Kolbe electrolyses to prepare dimethyl (±)-2-acetoxydodecane-1, 12-dioate and three methyl 2-acetoxyalkanoates. Dimethyl and diethyl-2, 5-diacetoxyadipates have been isolated from the Kolbe electrolyses of methyl and e
