Anodic oxidation. Part XI. Carbon anodes in electrosyntheses based on carboxylate ions

Abstract

Preparative electrolyses of triethylammonium heptanoate using different types of carbon as the anode material are reported. In protic solvents dodecane, the Kolbe dimer, is the major product at vitreous or baked carbon anodes, but the major products at a graphite anode are the three hexyl heptanoates. Large differences in the product distribution between electrolyses using anodes constructed from the edge and the face surfaces of pyrolytic graphite lead to the view that the differences amongst all the types of carbon are due to their differing adsorptive properties. Additional examples of the Kolbe electrosynthesis at vitreous and baked carbon anodes are reported.