ELECTROCATALYTIC OXIDATION OF ALIPHATIC DIOLS .2. EFFECT OF STEREOISOMERISM ON THE OXIDATION OF 2,3-BUTANEDIOLS AT A PLATINUM-ELECTRODE IN ACIDIC MEDIA

A strong and rather unexpected effect of stereoisomerism was observed during the electro-oxidation of the 2,3-butanediol stereoisomers. This first original observation appears to be dependent on the absolute co nfiguration of the reactive species and on the superficial structure o f the electrode surface. The activity of the electrode towards the oxi dation of 2,3-butanediol stereoisomers was also found to be greatly af fected by the nature of the anion of the supporting electrolyte. Elect rolysis of each stereoisomer leads very selectively to the correspondi ng acetoine, whereas only traces of diacetyl and CO, are detected.