Synthesis of alkane from lauric acid via electrochemical reaction in microreactor

Abstract

In the present work, decarboxylation of lauric acid to undecane was conducted by Kolbe electrochemical oxidation process in a microreactor. The microreactor is widely used to study reaction kinetics as well as reaction mechanisms because of negligible heat and mass transfer resistances within the reactor. The reactor is also very effective in the control of residence time. The 250-micron thick reactor was formed between graphite anode and stainless steel cathode sheets. Reactive alkyl radicals were produced from the supplied electrical potential and their combination with proton produced alkane with the release of carbon dioxide. The experiments were conducted to study the effect of residence time in the range of 100-400 s, and that of current density in the range from 6.67-37.04 ampere per meter squared. Kinetic analysis and reaction behavior of the reaction was performed and presented in this work.