Specific Features Of Electrooxidation Of Alcohols On Platinum In Absolute Alcohol-Solutions - Role Of Water In Chemisorption And Dehydrogenation Processes

The specifics of electrooxidation of alcohols in absolute alcohol solutions were studied to show that the mechanism of the process differs from that of alcohol electrooxidation in aqueous solutions. In absolute alcohol solutions, the rate-determining step of the process involves direct electron transfer from the alkoxy ion (in alkoxide or alkaline solutions) or the alcohol molecule (in acid or salt solutions) to the electrode with formation of an alkoxy radical. The effect of the alcohol nature, background nature and concentration, and the catalyst-electrode nature on alcohol electrooxidation was investigated. The work involved a comparative study of the state of the Pt electrode surface and of methanol adsorption in aqueous and absolute methanol solutions. In absolute methanol solutions, methanol adsorption was shown to be weaker and not destructive to adsorbing molecules. The influence of water on the adsorption and kinetics of electrode processes on a Pt electrode in methanol solutions was also studied.