Molten carboxylate electrolytes for electrochemical decarboxylation processes
AssigneeEnlighten Innovations Inc.
InventorsJames Mosby, Sai Bhavaraju
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Abstract
Molten salt electrolytes are described for use in electrochemical synthesis of hydrocarbons from carboxylic acids. The molten salt electrolyte can be used to synthesize a wide variety of hydrocarbons with and without functional groups that have a broad range of applications. The molten salt can be used to synthesize saturated hydrocarbons, diols, alkylated aromatic compounds, as well as other types of hydrocarbons. The molten salt electrolyte increases the selectivity, yield, the energy efficiency and Coulombic efficiency of the electrochemical conversion of carboxylic acids to hydrocarbons while reducing the cell potential required to perform the oxidation.
Claims22
A method for producing a coupled radical product, comprising:
- providing a molten salt electrolyte comprising a mixture of inorganic salts, wherein the mixture comprises different inorganic cations and at least one carboxylate anion to provide inorganic carboxylate salts;
- and
- applying a voltage to the molten salt electrolyte thereby decarboxylating the inorganic carboxylate salts into radicals that react to form at least one radical coupling product;
- wherein the molten salt electrolyte further comprises a different anion from the at least one carboxylate anion;
- or
- wherein the molten salt electrolyte comprises a mixture of inorganic salts, wherein the mixture comprises different carboxylate anions.
An electrochemical cell comprising:
- an electrolyte compartment with a quantity of electrolyte, wherein the electrolyte is a molten salt electrolyte comprising a mixture of inorganic salts, wherein the mixture comprises different inorganic cations and at least one carboxylate anion to provide inorganic carboxylate salts;
- an anode in communication with the electrolyte;
- a cathode in communication with the electrolyte;
- and
- a voltage source that decarboxylates the inorganic carboxylate salts into radicals that react to form at least one radical coupling product;
- wherein the molten salt electrolyte further comprises a different anion from the at least one carboxylate anion;
- or
- wherein the molten salt electrolyte comprises a mixture of inorganic salts, wherein the mixture comprises different carboxylate anions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.