Abstract
The recent literature is reviewed and a consistent mechanistic and mathematical model is presented which can account for the varied phenomena observed experimentally during both steady-state and unsteady-state electrolysis of aqueous acetate solutions at Pt electrodes. In particular the following competing reactions are considered: 1. complete oxidation of acetate ions to carbon dioxide, 2. oxygen film-formation on the Pt electrode, 3. oxygen evolution, 4. formation of ethane—the Kolbe dimerization reaction, and 5. formation of methanol—the Hofer—Moest reaction. The complex interaction of these reactions is discussed, with special emphasis on the oxygen film on the Pt surface and its influence on the various acetate-ion oxidation reactions.
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