Process for the electrochemical production of 2,2,4-trimethyladipic acid and 2,4,4-trimethyladipic acid

Abstract

A process for the electrochemical production of 2,2,4-trimethyladipic acid and 2,4,4-trimethyladipic acid by electrochemical oxidative ring cleavage of a mixture of cis- and trans-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexanol.

1 . A process, comprising:
 electrochemically producing 2,2,4-trimethyladipic acid and 2,4,4-trimethyladipic acid by electrochemical oxidative ring cleavage of a mixture comprising cis- and trans-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexanol in an aqueous alkaline solution.   
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the aqueous alkaline solution is an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution or an aqueous potassium hydroxide solution. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the electrochemical oxidative ring cleavage is performed by electrolysis in an electrolytic cell comprising a cathode and an anode, wherein the electrolytic cell is a batch electrolytic cell or a continuous flow electrolytic cell. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 3 , wherein the electrolysis is carried out in a continuous flow electrolytic cell. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 3 , wherein the anode is a nickel anode. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 3 , wherein the cathode is a stainless steel anode. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 3 , wherein the anode is in the form of a gauze, a pellet bed, or a foam. 
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 3 , wherein anode is a nickel gauze, a nickel pellet bed, or a nickel foam. 
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 electrochemically depositing a thin multilayered nickel oxide hydroxide top layer onto a surface of the nickel anode.   
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 3 , wherein the electrolysis is run at elevated temperature. 
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 3 , wherein the electrolysis is carried out at temperature from 60° C. to 100° C. 
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 3 , wherein the electrolysis is carried out at temperature from 70° C. to 90° C.