Herein we propose a new synthetic route for the production of 9,10-anthraquinone-2-ethanoic acid (AQEA) by clectrocarboxylation of 9,10anthraquinone-2-bromo-methyl (BrMAQ) or 9,10-anthraquinone-2-chloro-methyl (CIMAQ). Electrocarboxylation of anthraquinones appears as an alternative for synthesizing their respective carboxylic acids. Electrosyntheses were carried out using N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) as solvent, NaClO4 as electrolyte and metallic magnesium as sacrificial anode. One of electrolysis products was AQEA, which was isolated, purified and then analysed by IR, RMN and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Electrocarboxylation selectivity to AQEA ranged on average from 32 to 40% using CIMAQ and BrMAQ, respectively. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.