Oxidation of ethylene at a palladium electrode

Abstract

The electrochemical oxidation of ethylene to acetaldehyde and carbon dioxide is investigated at a palladium electrode in 2 N sulphuric acid at 80°C, as a first step towards the partial oxidation of higher olefins. Results on the corrosion of a palladium electrode in the absence of ethylene show features not previously reported, and a possible mechanism is given to account for the results. In the presence of ethylene at electrode potentials above 0.75 V E_H, it is shown that two reaction schemes are likely to be in operation to account for the products observed, as well as the appearance of a considerable amount of palladium metal in the electrolyte.