ELECTROCHEMICAL OXIDATIONS OF SEVERAL ORGANIC-COMPOUNDS IN AQUEOUS SURFACTANT SUSPENSIONS USING HIGHER VALENCE OXIDES AS INTERMEDIATES

Co per(II) oxide and manganese(II) oxide were shown to be catalysts fo r the electro-oxidation of 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide, diethylsulfide , 2-hydroxyethyl ethyl sulfide, and 1-chlorobutane in aqueous suspensi ons containing cationic surfactants. These oxides were shown to act as catalysts by formation of copper(III), manganese(III), and manganese( IV) oxides which chemically oxidized the organic compounds. Analysis o f the product suspensions showed the production of only the sulfoxide by oxidation of the 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide and diethyl sulfide. D estruction of chlorobutane was catalyzed by both barium peroxide and c opper(II) oxide. Volatile product(s) was trapped in a liquid nitrogen trap during electrolysis. These products included butane and butene.