The British Petroleum Company, P.l.c.

Stephen M Hall

David E Brown

Mahmood N Mahmood

The present invention relates to an electrochemical process for synthesizing carboxylic acids by reduction of gaseous oxides of carbon in which a gas transfer electrode is used as the cathode. The gas transfer electrodes are preferably used as hydrophobic gas transfer electrodes. In carrying out the process it is particularly preferred to use porous, hydrophobic gas transfer electrodes made from an electrocatalyst e.g. carbon, bound in a polymer such as polyethylene or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). In the case of some reactions another electro-catalyst may be added to the carbon/polymer mixture. The process is particularly suited to producing acids such as formic acid and oxalic acid.

Electrochemical organic synthesis

This invention relates to novel electrodes and a method of preparation thereof for use in electrochemical cells. The novel electrodes contain a combination of electrocatalysts deposited on a metal substrate. The electrocatalysts are deposited from a homogeneous solution of the compounds of (a) at least one metal selected from iron, cobalt, manganese and nickel, (b) at least one metal selected from molybdenum, vanadium and tungsten, and (c) at least one rare earth metal of the lanthanide group having an atomic number of 57-71 inclusive, the metal compounds are decomposed to the oxides and the oxide coated substrate cured at elevated temperature in a reducing atmosphere. The electrodes thus produced can be used as an anode or as a cathode in fuel cells and in cells for the electrolysis of water or brines.

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Feltham, United Kingdom

Stephen M Hall