Prepn of carboxylic acids by electrolytic - oxidation of alcohols and/or aldehydes

摘要

The alcohol and/or aldehyde is oxidised in a galvanic cell with an acid electrolyte and with a porous electrode contg. tungsten carbide of chemical formula WC. The porous electrode may consist of sintered tungsten carbide or tungsten carbide combined with a thermoplastic resin. The WC acts as a catalyst. The conversion of acetaldehyde to acetic acid is carried out using a tungsten carbide catalytic electrode and a potential of 200 mV.