Improved yields of oxalate, glyoxylate and glycolate from the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide in methanol

摘要: The yields of oxalate and especially glyoxylate glycolate were enhanced by the use methanol containing hydroxylamine tetramethylammonium chloride in controlled potential electrochemical reduction carbon dioxide at a lead electrode. An eightfold increase solubility CO2 was found compared with water so that initial concentration 4.48 × 10−3m. Products mainly (up to 9.7 10−3m −2.0 V) 6.6 −2.3 some 1.3 10−4m −1.7 depending on time electrode potential. Very little formate produced. Current densities about 30 A m−2.