THE USE OF A POROUS HYDROGEN DIFFUSION ANODE IN THE ELECTROCHEMICAL REDUCTION OF GLUCOSE TO SORBITOL

For the electrochemical reduction of glucose to sorbitol at a lead cathode the effect of varying the secondary electrode is examined. A porous hydrogen diffusion anode was used and the results compared with those using a lead anode. Reaction conditions involved change of pH from 3.5 to 9.5, temperature from 30 to 45-degrees-C and concentration of glucose from 0.5 to 2.5 M. Using the gas diffusion anode, efficient operation was possible without a diaphragm and the cell voltage decreased by about 50% with no change to the efficiency of the cathodic reduction compared with the conventional divided cell with lead electrodes. Thus the power usage can be reduced greatly, which may influence competition between electrochemical and pressure hydrogenation routes.