Process for electrochemical oxidation of ferrocyanide to ferricyanide

Abstract

The present invention concerns a process for oxidizing an aqueous phase comprising ferrocyanide (V) which is recovered from an oxidative phenolic coupling reaction, to an aqueous phase comprising ferricyanide (IV), in a divided electrochemical cell, comprising preparing an anolyte comprising pretreating the aqueous phase comprising ferrocyanide (V) which is recovered from an oxidative phenolic coupling reaction by decantation or extraction or filtration; placing the anolyte in contact with an anodic electrode of the divided electrochemical cell; placing a catholyte in contact with a cathodic electrode of the divided electrochemical cell; and applying electrical power to the divided electrochemical cell, wherein the electrical power has an amperage or voltage and wherein the applying is for a time period sufficient to oxidize the ferrocyanide (V) to ferricyanide (IV).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.