ELECTROCATALYTIC OXIDATION OF ALIPHATIC DIOLS .5. ELECTROOXIDATION OFBUTANEDIOLS ON PLATINUM-BASED ELECTRODES

During prolonged electrolyses, the effects of the nature of the electr olyte, of the upd-lead adatoms and of the oxidation potential on the k inetics and the selectivity of the electrocatalytic oxidation of butan ediols on platinum are investigated. It is particularly shown that the sulphate anions play an important role in the reaction rates and the selectivity. The reactions, under determined experimental conditions,w ere found to be very selective towards the first step oxidation produc ts (aldehydes and ketones). (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.