Abstract
IT has been observed by us that a variety of substances which are good catalysts for the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide produce a marked deviation of the anodic processes occurring during the electrolytic oxidation of thiosulphate1 and of sulphite2, and in the liberation of halogens3. We have now found that in the electrolysis of acetate solutions, relatively small amounts of plumbous, manganous, cupric, ferrous or cobaltous ions have a profound influence on the course of the Kolbe reaction. For example, the addition of 0.001 M-lead acetate to a solution containing N-potassium acetate and N-acetic acid reduces the efficiency for ethane formation at a platinum anode from about 70 per cent almost to zero, when using a current density of 0.025 amp. per sq. cm.
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References
J. Chem. Soc., 2345, 2800; 1932.
ibid., 829; 1933.
ibid., in the press.
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GLASSTONE, S., HICKLING, A. The Mechanism of the Kolbe Reaction. Nature 133, 177 (1934). https://doi.org/10.1038/133177a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/133177a0
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