Method for the anodic alkoxylation of organic compounds

Abstract

The invention relates to an improved method for the anodic alkoxylation of an organic compound with an alcohol comprising between 1 and 4 C atoms, in particular methanol, in a reactor comprising a membrane electrode assembly (MEA). The invention uses a reactor comprising an MEA that contains a cation exchange membrane or a microporous polypropylene membrane, whereby one or both electrode layers were created using carbon black and/or graphite, optionally doped with a heavy metal and a sulfonated, polyfluorinated polymer or copolymer in a liquid suspension containing a suspension medium.

1 . A method for anodic alkoxylation of an organic compound, in which a mixture containing the organic compound and an alcohol with 1-4 C atoms is passed through the anode space of a reactor divided into an anode space and a cathode space by means of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), where the MEA consists of a membrane, both sides of which are provided with electrode layers, which is characterized by the fact that one uses a reactor with an MEA that has a cation exchanger membrane or a microporous polypropylene membrane, one or both electrode layers of which were produced using a carbon black and/or graphite, which can be doped with heavy metal, and a sulfonated polyfluorinated polymer or copolymer in a suspension containing a liquid suspension medium.  
   
   
       2 . A method as in  claim 1 , which is characterized by the fact that an MEA both electrode layers of which were produced using a suspension containing carbon black, graphite or platinum-doped carbon black is used.  
   
   
       3 . A method as in  claim 1 , which is characterized by the fact that one uses a reactor with an MEA the electrode layers of which were produced with a suspension as in  claim 1 , including direct or indirect printing of the cation exchange membrane and removal of solvents contained in the liquid medium and thermal treatment of the membrane coated on both sides.  
   
   
       4 . A method as in  claim 1 , which is characterized by the fact that an organic compound from among the cyclic ethers, N-substituted amides, carbonyl compounds, especially ketones, alkylaromatic compounds and alkylheteroaromatic compounds is anodically alkoxylated.  
   
   
       5 . A method as in  claim 1 , which is characterized by the fact a cyclic ether from among the furans, dihydrofurans and tetrahydrofurans, 1,2-pyrans, and 1,4-pyrans and their di- and tetrahydro compounds, as well as the 1,4-pyrones and their di- and tetrahydro compounds, where in the case of the hydrogenated furans, pyrans and pyrones at least one C atom bonded to an ether oxygen atom has a hydrogen atom, is methoxylated or ethoxylated, especially methoxylated.  
   
   
       6 . A method as in  claim 1 , which is characterized by the fact an amide from among the lactams with 5-7 ring members, the N-acylated saturated and unsaturated N-heterocycles and the open-chain N-alkyl or N,N-dialkyl fatty acid amides, where a carbon atom bonded to a nitrogen has at least one hydrogen atom, is methoxylated or ethoxylated, especially methoxylated.  
   
   
       7 . A method as in  claim 1 , which is characterized by the fact a ketone with a methyl group or methylene group bonded to the carbonyl C atom is methoxylated or ethoxylated, especially methoxylated.  
   
   
       8 . A method as in  claim 1 , which is characterized by the fact a methyl-substituted aromatic compound or heteroaromatic compounds is methoxylated or ethoxylated, especially methoxylated.  
   
   
       9 . A method as in  claim 1 , which is characterized by the fact the alkoxylation is carried out in the alcohol corresponding to the alkoxy group as the solvent, at a voltage in the range from 1-50 volts, especially 1-25 volts.  
   
   
       10 . A method as in  claim 1 , which is characterized by the fact the alcohol mixture to be alkoxylated is sent through the anode space and then through the cathode space.