METHODS FOR THE SIMULTANEOUS ELECTROLYTIC DECARBOXYLATION AND REDUCTION OF SUGARS

摘要

Methods for simultaneously decarboxylating carbohydrate acids and reducing carbohydrate aldehydes in a divided electrochemical cell having a central compartment separate from the anode and cathode are disclosed using a cation membrane and a bipolar membrane. The improved methods are more cost-efficient and environmentally friendly.

主权项

1. A method of simultaneously decarboxylating a carbohydrate acid and reducing a carbohydrate aldehyde in an electrochemical cell, comprising:
providing an electrochemical cell having three compartments comprising an anode compartment, a central compartment, and a cathode compartment, the electrochemical cell further comprising a cation membrane positioned between and contacting the anode compartment and the central compartment, a bipolar membrane positioned between and contacting the central compartment and the cathode compartment, the cation membrane being configured to permit monovalent cation transfer, the cathode compartment containing a carbohydrate aldehyde, a catholyte and a cathode, and the anode compartment containing a carbohydrate acid, an anolyte, and an anode; providing an electrical current to the cell and producing a carbohydrate aldehyde in the anolyte, a monovalent cation hydroxide in the central compartment solution, and a sugar alcohol in the catholyte;