Journal of Applied Electrochemistry, Vol.30, No.11, 1299-1302, 2000
Electrosynthesis of dimethylsulfone from dimethylsulfoxide at a dimensionally stable anode
Galvanostatic electrochemical oxidation of dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) to dimethylsulfone (DMSO2) has been effected at a dimensionally stable anode (DSA) under different conditions of current density and reaction media, in both a batch and a flow reactor (membrane cell with an ion-exchange membrane between the two working electrodes) functioning in batch recirculation mode. Excellent yields of the sulfone have been obtained under both conditions. The product has been characterized by various physicochemical techniques. The operational conditions giving maximum yield of the product have been established. The electrochemical oxidation of DMSO has also been studied by cyclic voltammetry at a glassy carbon (GC) electrode. The mechanism of electrochemical oxidation and the advantages of the present methods over existing ones, are discussed.