Electrodialysis in a non-aqueous medium: Production of sodium methoxide

A method is described for the production of an alkali alkoxide from an alcohol and a salt by way of electrodialysis. The principle involves the double decomposition of a salt and an alcohol. In effect, an alcohol is split into protons and alkoxide ions, the latter forming the alkoxide with the metal ions of the salt. This finding opens new venues of application and offers opportunities for new chemical processes.