ETHYLENE-GLYCOL SYNTHESIS BY FORMALDEHYDE ELECTROHYDRODIMERIZATION .2. USING SODIUM-CHLORIDE AS ELECTROLYTE-SUPPORT

The paper presents the results obtained in the formaldehyde electrohyd rodimerization to ethylene glycol in the presence of sodium chloride a s an electrolyte support, underlining its advantages, as compared to t he sodium hydroxide. Working in non-divided electrolysis cells, provid ed with graphite electrodes, at current densites of 2-3 KA/sq.m and te mperatures of 60 - 700-degrees-C, current yields in excess of 80% are obtained under conditions where the ethylene glycol concentration in t he electrolyte solution reaches 10-12%. These results justify working out a non-conventional ethylene glycol synthesis procedure, starting f rom a non-oil raw material.