Methanolic Kolbe electrolysis of optically active methylethylacetic acid was carried out,giving,besides gaseous products (not collected),methyl s-butyl ether,3,4-dimethylhexane,s-butyl methylothylacetate and an ester of unknown structure.The s-butyl radical,pr+lucod from methylethylacetate anion ae the result of discharge at the anode and subsequent loss of carbon dioxide,was found to be unable to retain its stereo-configuration; this was reflected in the optical inactivity of the ether,the alkano and the alcohol part of s-butyl methylethylacetate.This was also demonstrated in the mixed Kolbe electrolysis between optically active mothylethylacetic acid and methyl hydrogen euccinate to give optically inactive methyl 4-methylhexanoate.