phendrol
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Electrochemical oxidation of ethylbenzene to acetophenone
I stumbled upon a pretty interesting patent lately. US 4459186, titled "Electrochemical oxidation of alkyl aromatic compounds". The authors claim that
acetophenone can be prepared from ethylbenzene via a diketal, diester or a dihalide, depending on the nucleophile used (alkali oxides, esters or
halides), by an electrolysis in an alcoholic solvent. Seems pretty straightforward and easy but the patent lacks some important information. There is
no yield specified anywhere which combined with the fact that there can be made a lot of variations in the choice of solvent and nucleophile confuses
a bit.
I'll experiment a bit with this method soon. I haven't got any anhudrous ethanol or methanol at the moment so my solvent of choice will be isopropyl
alcohol. I'm still not sure about the cell. Not sure if it should be divided or one compartment.
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killer_lapin
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Exemple I
"...may have a surface area of about 50 square centimeter utilizing a copper cathode and a platinum anode, the electrode being place at a distance of
about 13mm."
the distance is specified but no compartimentation is mentioned, it's probably a non-divided cell.
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phendrol
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"The electrochemical oxidation is effected in an electrochemical cell which may be a divided electrical cell using suitably chosen electrodes and an
environmentally suitable anion expansion membrane or, if so desired, it may also be effected in a standard electrolytic cell which is not divided."
I would assume that a divided cell is better.
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killer_lapin
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There is formation of an intermediate wich i suppose is sensitive to reduction. Then yes divided cell should be better. Which material are you going
to use for your diaphragm?
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