Indirect electrochemical oxidation of aliphatic alcohols to carboxylic acids by active oxygen forms in aqueous media

Abstract

Indirect electrochemical oxidation of aliphatic alcohols (butanol, hexanol, nonanol, decanol) to the corresponding carboxylic acids by active oxygen forms (AOFs) generated in situ in electrochemical cells from O2, H2O2, H2O is carried out in aqueous electrolyte using anodes of lead dioxide, a nickel oxide electrode, and boron-doped diamond electrode (BDDE). It is found that selectivity of the process of indirect electrosynthesis of carboxylic acids depends on the chemical nature of the anode material and structure of the initial alcohol and is determined by the conditions of AOF generation. Coupled electrosynthesis with simultaneous in situ generation of AOFs on the cathode and anode occurs more effectively with formation of the corresponding carboxylic acids.