INDIRECT ANODIC-OXIDATION OF ANTHRACENE TO ANTHRAQUINONE IN A SLURRY ELECTROLYTE SYSTEM IN THE PRESENCE OF BOTH SURFACTANT AND REDOX MEDIATOR

The anodic oxidation of anthracene has been studied in a slurry electrolyte containing both the redox mediator, Mn3+/Mn2+, and surfactant, dodecyl-benzene-sulphonate (DBS). The reaction mechanism, kinetics and the factors which affect the current efficiency of anthraquinone production were explored. Both the experimental results and the theoretical analysis show that the reaction is second order, i.e. first order with respect to Mn3+ and DBS, when the concentration of DBS is less than 1.64 x 10(-4)M and is first order with respect to Mn3+ only when the DBS concentration is larger than 1.64 x 10(-4)M. No anthraquinone was found in the absence of DBS. The main factors affecting the current efficiency of the anodic oxidation of anthracene to anthraquinone in the presence of both Mn3+/Mn2+ and DBS are H2SO4 concentration, current density, anthracene particle size, concentration of DBS and redox mediator as well as temperature. The current efficiency is slightly affected by the concentration of DBS and agitation rate when the concentration of DBS and agitation rate are higher than 1.64 x 10(-4)M and 700 r.p.m., respectively.