Effect of surfactants on the electrooxidation of 3-picoline to nicotinic acid

The effects of surfactants with different concentrations on the electrooxidation of 3-picoline were extensively investigated via the cyclic voltammetry curves. The results indicate that the current density are evidently enhanced in electrooxidation with cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide, sodium fatty alcohol ether sulfate, sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, N,N-dimethyl-N-dodecyl acetate sodium and sorbitan monostearate. So, it is probably synthesized nicotinic acid from 3-picoline in the lower concentration sulfuric acid with surfactants. The product selectivity and the current efficiency under the specific conditions are enhanced than no surfactants in the electrolyte.