The effect of pressure on the product distribution in Kolbe electrolysis

Journal Article · Thu Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1983 · J. Electrochem. Soc.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1149/1.2120109· OSTI ID:5557707

Sanderson, J E; Barnard, G W; Cheng, L K; Levy, P F

Experiments have been run which demonstrate that electrochemical oxidation of n-alkanoic acids (in the range of C/sub 4/-C/sub 6/) in aqueous solution at a smooth platinum anode gives higher yields of alkane dimer product when run at elevated pressures than an equivalent experiment at atmospheric pressure. This phenomenon has been observed over a wide range of reaction conditions. A plausible explanation for this result is that under high pressure conditions, olefin accumulates at the anode surface which helps to prevent the water, required to stabilize intermediates in the formation of competitive products, from reaching the electrode surface.

• Research Organization: Dynatech Research and Development Company, Chemical Engineering Group, Cambridge, Massachusetts
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-81ER10914
• OSTI ID: 5557707
• Journal Information: J. Electrochem. Soc.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Electrochem. Soc.; (United States) Vol. 130:9; ISSN JESOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400400* -- Electrochemistry
ALKANES
ALKENES
ANODES
ANODIZATION
AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CHEMICAL COATING
CHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CORROSION PROTECTION
DEPOSITION
DISPERSIONS
ELECTROCHEMICAL COATING
ELECTRODES
ELECTROLYSIS
ELEMENTS
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
KINETICS
LYSIS
METALS
MIXTURES
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDATION
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PLATINUM
PLATINUM METALS
PRESSURE DEPENDENCE
PRODUCTION
REACTION KINETICS
SOLUTIONS
SURFACE COATING
SURFACE PROPERTIES
TESTING
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
WATER