ELECTROSYNTHESIS OF P-HYDROXYBENZALDEHYDE FROM P-HYDROXYMANDELIC ACIDUSING A PLATINUM-ELECTRODE

The electro-oxidation of p-Hydroxymandelic acid has been studied in ac id (0.5 M H2SO4) and alkaline solutions (0.1 M and 2.7 M NaOH) using v oltammetric and in situ Fourier trans-form infrared (FTIR) spectroscop ic techniques. By using chemical analysis, voltammetric data, and FTIR spectra obtained during the oxidation of p-hydroxymandelic acid, p-hy droxybenzaldehyde, and CO2 have been identified as the main reaction p roducts in both media. In sulfuric acid, the electro-oxidation suffers a deactivation with continued sweeping. However, in alkaline solution s the current density is stable with sweeping and increases with NaOH concentration.