The galvanostatic oxidation of aldehydes to acids on Ti/Ru0.3Ti0.7O2 electrodes using a filter-press cell

Results for the galvanostatic oxidation of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde and n-butyraldehyde in 0.5 mol dm-3 H2SO4 at Ti/Ru0.3Ti0.7O2 DSA® type electrodes, using a filter-press cell, are presented. The observed products are the respective carboxylic acids and CO2. In the case of formaldehyde the additional presence of CO3(2-) is detected as a product. The carbon balance is observed to decrease with electrolysis time due to the partial liberation of the aldehyde in solution as a gas. The partial liberation of aldehyde gases increases with chain length and in this way the conversion of reactants to products decreases, as does the efficiency of the electro-oxidation process.