Anodic Oxidation of Unsaturated Aliphatic Ethers in Aqueous Electrolytes

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/prac.19943360708

2,5-Dihydrofuran 1 was galvanostatically oxidized in aqueous electrolytes on Pt and PbO2 anodes at current densities of 10 to 50 mA cm^-2.Under acidic conditions maleic dialdehyde 2 was obtained on both electrodes with a current efficiency (c.e.) of up to 50percent.In the alkaline region (pH 10) 4-hydroxy crotonic aldehyde 3 (Pt) or 2,5-dihydrofuranone 4 (PbO2) become the main products with c.e.'s of 29percent and 27percent, respectively, depending on the anode material.The influence of pH and of the anode material are discussed in detail. 2,3-Dihydrofuran 7, vinyl ethyl ether 8 and for comparison, furan 9 were studied in addition.