Electrosynthesis of 2, 3-butanediol and methyl ethyl ketone from acetoin in flow cells12. Issue 1 (6th December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ochoa-Gómez, José R.; Fernández-Carretero, Francisco; Río-Pérez, Francisca; García-Luis, Alberto; Roncal, Tomás; García-Suárez, Eduardo J.
• Is Part Of: Green chemistry. Volume 21:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 164
• Page End: 177
• Publication Date: 2018-12-06
• Subjects: Environmental chemistry -- Industrial applications -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; 660
• DOI: 10.1039/c8gc03028f
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1463-9262

Abstract

Abstract : Flexible 2, 3-butanediol and methyl ethyl ketone production by acetoin electroreduction in aqueous media at room temperature in flow cells. Abstract : Acetoin could shortly become a platform molecule due to current progress in fermentation technology, the megatrend for shifting from an oil-based economy to the one based on biomass, the quest for green manufacturing processes and its two highly reactive carbonyl and hydroxyl moieties. In this paper, the successful electro-conversion of acetoin into two valuable chemicals, 2, 3-butanediol (2, 3-BD) and methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), at a constant electrical current in an aqueous phase at room temperature using both divided and undivided 20 cm 2 filter-press flow cells under experimental conditions suitable for industrial production is reported. Cathode material is the key parameter to drive the electroreduction towards one or another chemical. 2, 3-BD is the major chemical produced by electrohydrogenation when low hydrogen overvoltage cathodes, such as Pt and Ni, of high surface areas obtained by PVD coating on a carbon gas diffusion layer are used, while MEK is the principal product produced by electrohydrogenolysis when high hydrogen overvoltage cathodes, such as graphite, Pb and Cd foils, are employed. 2, 3-BD and MEK can be obtained, respectively, in 92.8% and 85.7% selectivities, 71.7% and 80.4% current efficiencies, with 1.21 and 1.08 kg h −1 m −2 productivities and power consumptions of 2.94 and 4.1 kWh kg −1 using undivided cells and aqueous K2 HPO4 electrolysis media at pH values of 3.6 and 5.5. The reported electroconversion of acetoin is highly flexible because 2, 3-BD and MEK can be produced by changing just the cathode but using the same cell, with the same electrolyte at the same current density.