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Anodic dehalogenation of 1,2 ‐dichloroethane in aqueous electrolytes
Author(s) -
Beck Fritz,
Schulz Harry,
Wermeckes Bernd
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
chemical engineering and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.403
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1521-4125
pISSN - 0930-7516
DOI - 10.1002/ceat.270130150
Subject(s) - electrosynthesis , chemistry , anode , platinum , decarboxylation , halogenation , aqueous solution , dichloroethane , inorganic chemistry , 1,2 dichloroethane , chloride , electrolyte , electrochemistry , lead dioxide , organic chemistry , electrode , catalysis
A solution of 0.1 M 1 , 2 ‐dichloroethane in 1 M H 2 SO 4 was anodically converted to CO 2 , Cl 2 and HCIO 4 as the main products at smooth platinum. The current efficiency for CO 2 exceeds 60% at low current densities, while HClO 4 is obtained with about 20% current efficiency. Chlorinated products such as 1 , 2 ′, 2 ‐trichloroethane are formed in negligible amounts. Platinum plays a distinctive role as anode material and shows a reaction limited anodic prewave. Our experimental findings lead to a mechanism, whereby DCE is initially hydroxylated to form chloroacetaldehyde chlorohydrin which releases HCl and becomes rapidly further oxidized to monochloroacetic acid. The cleavage of the CC bond proceeds via its anodic decarboxylation. Possible practical applications in the field of anodic water purification and in the direct electrosynthesis of vinyl chloride are discussed.