THE PAIRED ELECTROCHEMICAL SYNTHESIS OF GLUCONIC ACID AND SORBITOL

Gluconic acid and sorbitol are obtained simultaneously both with 90% y ields by paired electrolysis of glucose, with a Pb sheet cathode and a dimension stable anode (DSA) in a press filtration diaphragm cell. Th e anolyte is composed from 66.7% glucose and 2% NaBr, and the catholyt e from 66.7% glucose and 2.5% Na2SO4, respectively. The electrolysis w as performed at the temperature of 60 degrees C, at the current densit y of 50 mA cm(-2), Q(r) is 110%. At this optimum conditions the curren t efficiencies for both gluconic acid and sorbitol are higher than 80% .