The commodity chemical acrylonitrile, manufactured from propene in the Sohio process, is an economical feedstock for electrochemical hydrodimerization. Since electricity accounts for only a small part of the manufacturing costs, the cost of adiponitrile is determined by process and capital costs, and this is where any cost improvement should begin. For example, a UCB development using nonaqueous media can eliminate H20 decomposition and extend the potential region. New proposals from Monsanto concern improved anodic and cathodic materials and the shift to diaphragm-free - i. e., single-chamber - electrolysis processes. As electrochemical processes are very selective through adjustment of the working potential, there is minimal byproduct formation. The Monsanto process is thus particularly nonpolluting which is an important factor in its favor.