Organic electrolysis cell with sacrificial electrode

A method for electrosynthesis of organic compounds chosen from the group consisting of aliphatic carboxylic acids, aromatic carboxylic acids, alcohols, ketones and aldehydes in an organic medium, comprising the steps of:

• circulating organic halides having at least one carbanion-stabilizing functional group or atom bound to the halogen-carrying carbon atom through an electrolysis cell having:
• an unsacrificial electrode with a conical active surface with a constant inclination relative to a direction D forming an angle less than 45 degrees with the vertical on the one hand, and an inclination less than 45 degrees relative to the vertical on the other;
• a sacrificial electrode made from a metal chosen from the group consisting of magnesium, zinc, aluminium and their alloys, which is consumed during electrode synthesis by the electrochemical reaction of which the sacrificial electrode forms the seat, having an active surface, having at least one solid metal block applied under the influence of its own weight against the unsacrificial electrode, any straight line passing through the sacrificial electrode in the direction D also passing through the active surface of the unsacrificial electrode;
• an electrical insulating material separating the unsacrificial electrode and the sacrificial electrode while allowing passage of the organic halides through the electrical insulating material, having a shape and dimensions to enable the active surfaces of the two electrodes to remain parallel during electrosynthesis;
• and
• electrochemically reducing the organic halides as the organic halides circulate through the electrolysis cell.