The partial anodic oxidation of ethylene on palladium

Abstract

A detailed electrochemical study of the anodic oxidation of ethylene on a smooth palladium electrode in sulphuric acid at 80° shows that the partial oxidation products so formed result from formation of a palladium–organic complex capable of existing in solution, and not, as previously suggested, from a straightforward oxidation of chemisorbed species on a noble-metal surface. The formation of butene in considerable amounts from such a system is reported for the first time, and comparative experiments with palladous ions in a homogeneous system are reported.