The Paired Electrochemical Synthesis of Gluconic Acid and Sorbitol

Abstract

Gluconic acid and sorbitol are obtained simultaneously both with 90% yields by paired electrolysis of glucose, with a Pb sheet cathode and a dimension stable anode (DSA) in a press filtration diaphragm cell. The anolyte is composed from 66.7% glucose and 2% NaBr, and the catholyte from 66.7% glucose and 2.5% Na2SO4, respectively. The electrolysis was performed at the temperature of 60 C, at the current density of 50 mA cm-2, Qr is 110%. At this optimum conditions the current efficiencies for both gluconic acid and sorbitol are higher than 80%.