ELECTROCHEMICAL SYNTHESIS OF ARYL-ALKYL SURFACTANT PRECURSOR

摘要

An aryl-alkyl (R-Ar) hydrocarbon is prepared by an electrosynthesis process in an electrolytic cell (100) having an alkali ion conductive membrane (110) positioned between an anolyte compartment (112) configured with an anode (116) and a catholyte compartment (114) configured with a cathode (118). An anolyte solution (124) containing an alkali metal salt of an alkyl carboxylic acid (128) and an aryl compound (130) is introduced into the anolyte compartment (112). The aryl compound (130) may include an alkali metal salt of an aryl carboxylic acid, an arene (aromatic) hydrocarbon, or an aryl alkali metal adduct (Ar- M+). The anolyte solution (124) undergoes electrolytic decarboxylation to form an alkyl radical. The alkyl radical reacts with the aryl compound to produce the aryl-alkyl hydrocarbon.