Process for preparing alkanediols by electrochemical coupling of halohydrins, alkanediols, when produced by such process, and an electrolytic cell suitable for carrying out the process

摘要

An electrochemical coupling process is disclosed for preparing an alkanediol from a halohydrin containing 2 to 4 carbon atoms, the process comprising electrolysing a divided cell having a copper cathode and having:(1) a cathode compartment containing an aqueous catholyte which includes a halohydrin, copper ions and a stabilising ligand and(2) an anode compartment containing an aqueous anolyte which includes an iodide or bromide, the cathode and anode compartments being separated by a diaphragm which is permeable to electrolyte cations.;The invention includes an electrolytic cell of the kind described above which is divided with a diaphragm comprising a fluorocarbon membrane having pendant sulfonic acid groups. The invention also includes alkanediols when produced by the electrochemical coupling process.