Process for electrochemical oxidation of an aldehyde to an ester

摘要

A process for electrochemical oxidation of aldehydes to esters is provided. The invention includes electrooxidation at a pH where an intermediate hemiacetal is favored, thereby providing for maximum selectivity to the desired ester and for maximum reaction efficiency. In particular, the invention provides for the electrooxidation of acetaldehyde to methyl acetate. The invention is illustrated with reference reactants native to the carbonylation process for the manufacture of acetic acid. Processes described herein are readily adapted to an industrial scale, particularly for the removal of acetaldehyde from process streams.