Electrochemical Experiments with Various Organic Acids

In spite of numerous setbacks in the development of electro‐organic chemistry, research in this field has brought to light new reactions and new products that have often failed detection when working along purely chemical lines. Experimental evidence is presented to support the peroxide theory of the Kolbe electrosynthesis. The fact that aromatic acids do not give the Kolbe reaction is due to the ease with which the benzene ring is oxidized. The Tafel transposition is attributed to the powerful reducing action at the surface of the lead cathode. In the electrolysis of mixtures of nitrates with salts of organic acids, the polymerization of the alkylenes occurs only at the anode in presence of nitrate ions and due to the effect of the highly concentrated acid liberated.