The oxidation of allyl alcohol on Au-electrode in acidic electrolytes

• Published in: Electrochimica acta 1981-01, Vol.26 (6), p.763-770
• Main Authors: Celdran, R., González-Velasco, J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0013-4686; 1873-3859
• DOI: 10.1016/0013-4686(81)90035-9

The allyl alcohol oxidation on a gold electrode in acidic medium has been achieved by means of the triangular voltage scan method, potentiostatic transients and rde, and the determination of final products by analysing final products of electrolysis. The following results were obtained: 1. The overall reaction yields 2 electrons per allyl alcohol molecule. 2. The final products determined were: HCHO, CH 3CHO, CH 2OHCHO, ethanol, isopropanol and n-propanol. Presence of CO 2 was not verified. 3. The oxidation takes place after an adsorption of the allyl alcohol molecules on the electrode has occurred. 4. The kinetics of the overall reaction are determined by a chemical step after two rapid charge transfer steps. The anodic reaction orders of allyl alcohol and H + ions were: Z allyl = 0.2 and Z H + = −0.2, respectively. It was possible to explain the kinetics of the oxidation by using the Temkin adsorption isotherm in the interpretation of the mechanism. The proposed mechanism was also in agreement with every experimental fact observed. The fact that one unsaturated alcohol compound oxidizes, while the aliphatic alcohol hardly exhibit this kind of reaction on gold in acidic medium, seems to enhance the importance of the adsorption step, which would be possible due to the interaction between π* antibonding of the double bond and the d filled bonds of the gold electrode.