Enhancement of Toluene Formation by Water during Electrolysis of Chlorobenzene at Pt Electrode in Acetonitrile

抄録

Chlorobenzene was electrolyzed on polycrystalline platinum electrode in acetonitrile with various water concentrations at −3.02 V(vs. Fc/Fc⁺). Formation rate of the reduction products depend on water concentration remarkably. Benzene is a main product at [H₂O]≤0.3 mol dm⁻³. At [H₂O]≥0.35 mol dm⁻³, toluene is obtained as well as benzene. Partial current density of toluene gives maximum at [H₂O]=0.44 mol dm⁻³. Formation of toluene closely relates with production of methane resulting from the decomposition of acetonitrile.