Societe Nationale Des Poudres Et Explosifs

Societe Nationale Industrielle Et Aerospatiale Des Poudres Et

Jacques Chaussard

Marie-Odile Moingeon

Michel Troupel

Christophe Saboureau

The invention relates to a process for the electrosynthesis of carboxylic acids of general formula R-COOH in which R is an organic radical by the electrochemical reduction, in the presence of carbon dioxide, of organic compounds corresponding to the general formula R--Y in which R is the above-mentioned organic radical and Y is a hetero atom-containing radical, the hetero atom of the radical Y, chosen from the group consisting of oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur andphosphorus, being directly linked to a carbon atom of the radical R by a single covalent linkage. When the hetero atom is nitrogen or phosphorus, the radical Y is an ammonium or phosphonium radical respectively. The anode, which is consumed during the electrosynthesis, is made of a metal chosen from the group consisting of reducing metals and their alloys, preferably made of magnesium, aluminium or zinc. This process without catalyst is very simple to perform and enables a cell with a single compartment to be employed. The carboxylic acids are commonly employed in the chemical industry, especially as intermediates for the synthesis of pharmaceutical products or of products used in plant protection.

Process for the electrochemical synthesis of carboxylic acids

The present invention relates to a cell for the organic electrosynthesis of organic or organometallic compounds, containing two electrodes (2) and (4) of which only one (4) is sacrificed by the electrochemical reaction of which it forms the seat. The sacrificial electrode (4) consists of at least one solid metal block and is applied under the influence of its own weight against the other electrode (2) from which it is separated by an electrical insulating material (5) which allows the passage of the electrolytic solution (6) and of which the shape and the dimensions enable the active substances of the two electrodes (2) and (4) to remain parallel. The active surface of the electrode (2) has a constant inclination relative to a direction D (9) forming an angle less than 45 degrees with the vertical on the one hand, and an inclination less than 45 degrees relative to the vertical on the other. Any straight line in direction D (9) passing through any point on the electrode (4) passes through the active surface of the electrode (2).

Organic electrolysis cell with sacrificial electrode

The invention relates to a process for the synthesis of ketones by electrochemical reduction of organic halides in the presence of organic acid anhydrides in an electrolysis cell in an organic solvent medium containing a supporting electrolyte. The anode is a metal chosen from the group consisting of magnesium, aluminium, zinc and their alloys. This process has the advantage of being simple and readily capable of being converted to an industrial scale, particularly because of the possibility of employing a cell which has only one compartment. It can be applied to the electrosynthesis of numerous ketones.

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Paris, France

Jacques Chaussard