Indirect electrocatalytic oxidation of glycerin on platinum electrode in acidic electrolyte involving active oxygen forms

The indirect electrocatalytic oxidation of glycerin on the platinum electrode in the acidic electrolyte involving active oxygen forms is studied. The dependence of selectivity of glycerin oxidation on the current density and concentration of substrate are investigated. It is found that the oxidation proceeds via the stage of formation of glycerin aldehyde, which can be obtained as the target product with a current efficiency of 72% and the substance yield of 26%. Formic acid is the main by-product of oxidation (0.17–0.29 M), glycolic and oxalic acids are contained in trace amounts. An additional presence of active oxygen forms in the studied electrolytes reduces the yield of glycerin aldehyde as a result of its further deeper oxidation to carboxylic acids.