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CA1105874A Expired / Lapsed CA ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Production of pinacols in a membrane cell

Assignee: Diamond Shamrock Corp
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Filing: 1976-09-28
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Granted: 1981-07-28
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Expires: 1996-09-28
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Abstract

Abstract ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Disclosed is an improved method for the electro-chemical production of pinacols from organic carbonyl compounds at high current efficiency in an acid medium in a cell having a hydraulically impermeable cation-exchange membrane. Aqueous organic carbonyl compound and sulfuric acid are introduced to the cathode compartment of the cell along with copper ions in controlled concentrations. After passing an electrolyzing current between the anode and cathode of the cell the pinacol is recovered from the cathode compart-ment effluent.

Inventors

  • 👤 Barry A. Schenker
  • 👤 Thomas T. Sugano
  • 👤 Nicholas Shuster
  • 👤 Joseph A. Walburg

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction CA
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-30 04:22
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25B; C25B3/00; C25B3/20; C25B3/29; C25B3/295; C25B3/01; C25B3/07

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim 153 words
A process for the production of pinacol by the electrochemical reduction of acetone, which comprises: introducing aqueous sulfuric acid to the anode compartment of an electrolytic cell divided into anode and cathode compartments by a hydraulically impermeable, cation-exchange membrane, in an amount sufficient to conduct an electrolyzing current; introducing a mixture of aqueous acetone and sulfuric acid to the cathode compartment of said cell such that the initial sulfuric acid concentration is within the range of 150 to 450 grams per liter and the initial acetone concentration is within the range of 200 to 500 grams per liter; introducing copper ions such that the initial copper ion concentration in the cathode compartment is within the range of 1 to 200 ppm; passing a direct, electrolyzing current within the range of 0.5 to 1.5 amperes per sq. inch between the anode and cathode of said cell; and recovering pinacol from the cathode compartment effluent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 153 words
A process for the production of pinacol by the electrochemical reduction of acetone, which comprises: introducing aqueous sulfuric acid to the anode compartment of an electrolytic cell divided into anode and cathode compartments by a hydraulically impermeable, cation-exchange membrane, in an amount sufficient to conduct an electrolyzing current; introducing a mixture of aqueous acetone and sulfuric acid to the cathode compartment of said cell such that the initial sulfuric acid concentration is within the range of 150 to 450 grams per liter and the initial acetone concentration is within the range of 200 to 500 grams per liter; introducing copper ions such that the initial copper ion concentration in the cathode compartment is within the range of 1 to 200 ppm; passing a direct, electrolyzing current within the range of 0.5 to 1.5 amperes per sq. inch between the anode and cathode of said cell; and recovering pinacol from the cathode compartment effluent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 67 words
A process according to Claim 1 wherein said initial copper ion concentration is within the preferred range of 8 to 15 ppm, said sulfuric acid concentration within the preferred range of 300 to 350 grams per liter, said acetone concentration within the preferred range of 350 to 425 grams per liter, and the ratio of sulfuric acid to acetone within the preferred range of 0.7:1 to 1.1:1.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 13 words
A process according to Claim 1 wherein said membrane is a NAFIO? membrane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 14 words
A process according to Claim 1 wherein said membrane is an IONICS CR6? membrane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 41 words
A process according to Claim 1 wherein the mixture contained in the cathode compartment is circulated constantly through the cell to provide a good mixing and turbulence in order to promote more effective mass transfer to and from the cathode surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 14 words
A process according to Claim 1 wherein the cathode is made of chemical lead.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 17 words
A process according to Claim 1 wherein the anode is one suitable for an oxygen evoluting environment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 138 words
A process for the production of pinacols of the formula where R is a hydrocarbon radical of one to six carbon atoms, R1 is hydrogen or a hydrocarbon radical of one to six carbon atoms, by the electrochemical reduction of organic carbonyl compounds of the formula R-CO-R1 where R and R1 have the above meaning, which comprises the steps of: introducing an aqueous solution of sulfuric acid to the anode compartment of the electrolytic cell divided into anode and cathode compartments by a hydraulically impermeable, cation-exchange membrane, in an amount sufficient to conduct an electrolyzing current; introducing an aqueous solution of organic carbonyl compound, acid and copper ions to the cathode compartment of the electrolytic cell; passing a direct, electrolyzing current between the anode and cathode of the electrolytic cell; and recovering pinacol from the cathode compartment effluent.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 138 words
A process for the production of pinacols of the formula where R is a hydrocarbon radical of one to six carbon atoms, R1 is hydrogen or a hydrocarbon radical of one to six carbon atoms, by the electrochemical reduction of organic carbonyl compounds of the formula R-CO-R1 where R and R1 have the above meaning, which comprises the steps of: introducing an aqueous solution of sulfuric acid to the anode compartment of the electrolytic cell divided into anode and cathode compartments by a hydraulically impermeable, cation-exchange membrane, in an amount sufficient to conduct an electrolyzing current; introducing an aqueous solution of organic carbonyl compound, acid and copper ions to the cathode compartment of the electrolytic cell; passing a direct, electrolyzing current between the anode and cathode of the electrolytic cell; and recovering pinacol from the cathode compartment effluent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 117 words
A process according to Claim 8 wherein the hydraulically impermeable, cation-exchange membrane consists essentially of a film of a copolymer having the repeating structural units of the formula: (I) and (II) -CXX1 - CF2 - wherein R represents the group in which R1 is fluorine, or perfluoralkyl of 1 to 10 carbon atoms; Y is fluorine or trifluoromethyl; m is 1, 2 or 3; n is 0 or 1; X is fluorine, chlorine, or trifluoromethyl; and X1 is X or CF3 ?CF2?Z wherein Z is 0 or an integer from 1 to 5; the units of formula (I) being present in an amount to provide a copolymer having an -SO3H equivalent weight of about 1000 to 1400.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 143 words
A process according to Claim 8 wherein the hydraulically impermeable, cation-exchange membrane consists essentially of: an insoluble, infusible copolymeric matrix formed from at least 20 percent by weight of a polyvinyl aromat compound and no more than 80 percent of a monovinyl aromatic compound with a reinforcing material therein, and no more than 70 percent by weight of a monovinyl aromatic compound without a reinforcing material therein; sulfonate groups chemically bonded to the aromatic nuclei of said matrix and a solvating liquid in gel relationship with said matrix; said sulfonate groups being present in an amount of no more than 4 equivalents of sulfonate groups for each mole of polyvinyl aromatic compound and not less than 1 equivalent of sulfonate groups ror each 10 moles of poly-and monovinyl aromatic compound; said solvating liquid being at least 25 percent by volume of said resin.

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