Electrochemical synthesis at pre-pilot scale of 1-phenylethanol by cathodic reduction of acetophenone using a solid polymer electrolyte

• Published in: Electrochemistry communications 2013-09, Vol.34, p.316-319
• Main Authors: Sáez, Alfonso, García-García, Vicente, Solla-Gullón, José, Aldaz, Antonio, Montiel, Vicente
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 1-Phenylethanol; Acetophenone; Chemistry; Electrochemical hydrogenation; Electrochemistry; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; PEMER; Solid polymer electrolyte
• ISSN: 1388-2481; 1873-1902
• DOI: 10.1016/j.elecom.2013.07.018

The pre-pilot scale synthesis of 1-phenylethanol was carried out by the cathodic hydrogenation of acetophenone in a 100cm2 (geometric area) Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Electrochemical Reactor. The cathode was a Pd/C electrode. Hydrogen oxidation on a gas diffusion electrode was chosen as anodic reaction in order to take advantage of the hydrogen evolved during the reduction. This hydrogen oxidation provides the protons needed for the synthesis. The synthesis performed with only a solid polymer electrolyte, spe, has lower fractional conversion although a higher selectivity than that carried out using a support–electrolyte–solvent together with a spe. However, the difference between these two cases is rather small and since the work-up and purification of the final product are much easier when only a spe is used, this last process was chosen for the pre-pilot electrochemical synthesis of 1-phenylethanol. •1-Phenylethanol was synthesized by reduction of acetophenone on Pd/C cathodes.•The anodic reaction was hydrogen oxidation in a gas diffusion electrode.•H2 evolved at the cathode can be used to partially feed the gas diffusion electrode.•Pre-pilot synthesis is carried out in a reactor of 100cm2 with a DOFC structure.•Fractional conversion and yields are given for different experimental conditions.