Method of making alkali metal alcoholates

Disclosed is a method of making an alkali metal alcoholate by performing the reaction where M is sodium or potassium, ROH is methanol, ethanol, propanol, or butanol, and D.C. is direct current. The process can be used to make sodium methylate in a modified Hybinette cell having a separator in between a cathode compartment and an anode compartment. The cell is filled with methanol and a solution of sodium chloride in methanol is added to the cathode compartment. When direct current is passed between the cathode and the anode, a solution of sodium methylate in methanol collects in the anode compartment. The solution of sodium methylate can be continuously removed and cooled to separate any sodium chloride in it which can be recycled back to the cathode compartment. Alternatively, the sodium chloride can be added to the anode compartment while an inert salt is added to the cathode compartment. The process can also be performed in a three-compartment cell. Disclosed is a method of making an alkali metal alcoholate by performing the reaction where M is sodium or potassium, ROH is methanol, ethanol, propanol, or butanol, and D.C. is direct current. The process can be used to make sodium methylate in a modified Hybinette cell having a separator in between a cathode compartment and an anode compartment. The cell is filled with methanol and a solution of sodium chloride in methanol is added to the cathode compartment. When direct current is passed between the cathode and the anode, a solution of sodium methylate in methanol collects in the anode compartment. The solution of sodium methylate can be continuously removed and cooled to separate any sodium chloride in it which can be recycled back to the cathode compartment. Alternatively, the sodium chloride can be added to the anode compartment while an inert salt is added to the cathode compartment. The process can also be performed in a three-compartment cell.