Electrochemical organic reactions via catalytic halide substitution

An improved process for the electrochemical reaction of a lower organic halide, e.g., benzyl chloride, wherein the improvement comprises the catalytic in situ conversion of the lower organic halide to a higher organic halide, e.g., benzyl iodide, which reacts under milder conditions than does the lower organic halide. An example of such an improved process is the dimerization of a benzyl chloride to form a diphenylethane wherein a catalytic amount of sodium iodide is added to the electrochemical cell under conditions such that the conversion of the benzyl chloride to benzyl iodide is effectively driven to completion.