Method of producing alkali alcoholates

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method for the electrochemical production of alkali alcoholates and to an electrolytic cell that can be used for this purpose. In particular, the invention is concerned with a method of production in which aqueous saline solutions are used on the anode side. A main characteristic of the electrolytic cell is that the anode compartment and the cathode compartment are separated by an anolyte-stable and catholyte-stable solid electrolyte.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for the electrochemical production of alkali alcoholates starting from a saline, aqueous anolyte and an alcoholic catholyte, comprising performing electrolysis in an electrolytic cell in which the cathode compartment and the anode compartment are separated by a solid electrolyte that conducts only ions and which is anolyte- and catholyte-stable.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein β-aluminum oxide is used as said solid electrolyte.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said solid electrolyte is coated on at least one side with one or more ion-permeable, electrically conductive layers.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the ion-permeable, electrically conductive layer is applied onto the solid electrolyte by vapor deposition or is burned onto its surface as an immersion layer.  
     
     
         5 . The method of either  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein the cathode side and the anode side surfaces of said solid electrolyte are coated with an electrically conductive, porous layer in contact with means supplying and removing current.  
     
     
         6 . The method according to any one of claims  1 - 4 , wherein said solid electrolyte is in the form of a plane-parallel plate.  
     
     
         7 . The method according to any one of claims  1 - 4 , wherein said electrolytic cell comprises an anode compartment and a cathode compartment, at least one of which is filled with an electrically conductive powder.  
     
     
         8 . The method of any one of claims  1 - 4 , wherein the temperature of the anolyte during electrolysis is between −10° C. and 0° C., and the temperature of the catholyte during electrolysis is between −45° C. and −5° C., calculated in each instance from the boiling point of the anolyte or of the catholyte.  
     
     
         9 . The method of any one of claims  1 - 4 , wherein said method is carried out in a continuous manner.  
     
     
         10 . The method of any one of claims  1 - 4 , wherein the anolyte has a pH of greater than 7.  
     
     
         11 . An electrolytic cell comprising: an anode compartment containing an aqueous solution of at least one alkali-metal salt as anolyte; a cathode compartment; and a solid electrolyte as membrane by means of which said anode compartment and said cathode compartment are separated from one another.  
     
     
         12 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 11 , wherein the solid electrolyte does not comprise any other ion-conducting layer.  
     
     
         13 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 11  or  claim 12 , wherein β-aluminum oxide is used as the solid electrolyte.  
     
     
         14 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 11  wherein the solid electrolyte is coated on at least one side with one or more ion-permeable, electrically conductive layers.  
     
     
         15 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 14 , wherein β-aluminum oxide is used as the solid electrolyte.  
     
     
         16 . The electrolytic cell of either  claim 14  or  claim 15 , wherein the ion-permeable, electrically conductive layer is applied onto the solid electrolyte by vapor deposition or is burned onto its surface as an immersion layer.  
     
     
         17 . The electrolytic cell of  claim 11 , wherein the cathode side and anode side surfaces of the solid electrolyte are coated with an electrically conductive, porous layer in contact with means supplying and removing current.  
     
     
         18 . The electrolytic cell of any one of claims  11 ,  12 ,  14 ,  15  or  17 , wherein the solid electrolyte is in the form of a plane-parallel plate.  
     
     
         19 . The electrolytic cell of any one of claims  11 ,  12 ,  14 ,  15 , or  17 , wherein the anolyte has a pH of greater than 7.  
     
     
         20 . A method of producing alkali alcoholates, comprising performing electrolysis using the electrolytic cell of any one of claims  11 ,  12 ,  14 ,  15 , or  17 .