Selective electrochemical oxidation of organic compounds

Claim 1

A method for the selective electrolytic oxidation of an aryl-compound to a quinoid compound which comprises the steps of: (a) disposing an aqueous electrolyte solution in a compartment of an electrochemical cell with the electrolyte solution contacting a cathodic and an anodic electrode; the anodic electrode including a first foraminous or porous layer of hydrophobic material, a second foraminous or porous layer with an oxidation catalyst dispersed therein, and a current collector in electrical contact with the second layer, the first layer positioned to contact the aryl-compound and the second layer positioned to contact the aqueous electrolyte solution; (b) transporting the aryl-compound through the first hydrophobic layer to the second layer of the anodic electrode; (c) maintaining a pressure differential between the aqueous electrolyte solution and the aryl-compound sufficiently low to prevent substantial bulk intermixing of the aryl-compound and aqueous electrolyte solution or flow of either the electrolyte solution or the aryl-compound through the anodic electrode whereby a substantially uniform interface between the aryl-compound and the aqueous electrolyte solution is formed at the boundary between the first and second layers or in the second layer of the anodic electrode; (d) supplying an electrical current between the cathodic and anodic electrodes; and (e) removing the quinoid oxidation product from the cell.

Claim 2

A method for the selective electrolytic oxidation of an aryl-compound to a quinoid compound which comprises the steps of: (a) disposing an aqueous electrolyte solution in a compartment of an electrochemical cell with the electrolyte solution contacting a cathodic and an anodic electrode; the anodic electrode including a first foraminous or porous layer of hydrophobic material, a second foraminous or porous layer with an oxidation catalyst dispersed therein, and a current collector in electrical contact with the second layer, the first layer positioned to contact the aryl-compound and the second layer positioned to contact the aqueous electrolyte solution; (b) transporting the aryl-compound through the first hydrophobic layer to the second layer of the anodic electrode; (c) maintaining a pressure differential between the aqueous electrolyte solution and the aryl-compound sufficiently low to prevent substantial bulk intermixing of the aryl-compound and aqueous electrolyte solution or flow of either the electrolyte solution or the aryl-compound through the anodic electrode whereby a substantially uniform interface between the aryl-compound and the aqueous electrolyte solution is formed at the boundary between the first and second layers or in the second layer of the anodic electrode; (d) supplying an electrical current between the cathodic and anodic electrodes; and (e) removing the quinoid oxidation product from the cell.