Direct electrochemical synthesis of oxygenates from ethane using phosphate-based electrolysis cells

Ethane was converted directly to acetaldehyde and ethanol by partial oxidation at 220 °C and ambient pressure using an electrolysis cell with a proton-conducting electrolyte, CsH 2 PO 4 /SiP 2 O 7 , and Pt/C electrodes. The ethane conversion and the selectivity to the products increased with the voltage applied to the cell. It was found that O species generated by water electrolysis functioned as a favorable oxidant for partial oxidation of ethane on the Pt/C anode at intermediate temperatures. The production rates of acetaldehyde and ethanol recorded in this study were significantly higher than those in preceding reports. Acetaldehyde and ethanol are produced at high rates by ethane partial oxidation at 220 °C and at atmospheric pressure using electrochemical cells.