KINETIC-STUDY OF THE ELECTROREDUCTION OF BENZOIC-ACID

This work demonstrates the procedures needed to extract kinetic parameters from experimental data and to establish a reasonable model for the electroreduction of benzoic acid in a citrate buffer solution, a reaction typical of consecutive electrochemical reactions with solvent decomposition. Influences of operating conditions (current density, flow rate, etc.) on the formation ratio of benzaldehyde to benzyl alcohol were examined in a flow cell system with a lead cathode. Three reaction mechanism models taking into account dehydration and mass transfer of a hydrated benzaldehyde intermediate were discussed. Numerical calculations showed that the electrolyte in the vicinity of the cathode during an electrolysis was weakly alkaline. Factors controlling the product-selectivity of benzaldehyde are also discussed on the basis of simulation.