Kolbe Electrolysis of Carboxylates on a Hydrophobic Platinum Electrode Composite-plated with PTFE Particles

Abstract

The Kolbe electrolysis of a variety of carboxylates was examined on ordinary (hydrophilic) and PTFE composite-plated (hydrophobic) platinum anodes in aqueous electrolytic solutions. The electrolysis of hydrophobic carboxylates such as long-chain or fluorinated ones was substrate-selectively suppressed on the hydrophobic (PTFE/Pt) anode. The mechanism of the above unique hydrophobic effect was discussed on the basis of preparative electrolysis, voltammetry and hydrophilic/hydrophobic interaction between the anode surface and carboxylate ions.