Electrochemical regeneration of Ce(iv) for oxidation of p-methoxytoluene

The development of the electrochemical oxidation of aromatic compounds on an industrial scale is hindered by the deactivation of the electrode occurring under anodic polarization. This paper presents some results on the indirect oxidation of p-methoxy toluene by ceric sulfate electrochemically regenerated on a platinized titanium electrode. A technique that reactivates the fouled electrode on the one hand and avoids the passivation of the electrode during electrolysis on the other hand is proposed. Methylene chloride is used to extract the organic products from the aqueous phase before electrolysis. The preparative electrolysis of anisaldehyde is performed on the laboratory scale and the results show an overall (chemical and electrochemical) yield close to 80%.