Electrolytic method to make alkali alcoholates using ion conducting alkali electrolyte/separator

A method for producing alkali alcoholate, comprising:

• (a) providing an electrolytic cell comprising:
• an alkali ion conducting solid electrolyte configured to selectively transport alkali ions, the solid electrolyte positioned between an anolyte compartment configured with an anode and a buffer compartment, and
• a porous separator configured to transport alkali ions, the separator positioned between the buffer compartment and a catholyte compartment configured with a cathode;
• (b) introducing a first solution comprising alkali alcoholate and alcohol into the catholyte compartment of the electrolytic cell such that said first solution is in communication with the porous separator and the cathode;
• (c) introducing a second solution comprising at least one alkali salt into the anolyte compartment of the electrolytic cell such that said second solution is in communication with the alkali ion conducting solid electrolyte and the anode;
• (d) feeding a third solution comprising alkali alcoholate, alcohol and alkali salt into the buffer compartment;
• (e) applying an electric potential to the electrolytic cell to cause alkali ions to pass through the alkali ion conducting solid electrolyte into the second buffer compartment and to cause alkali ions from the buffer compartment to diffuse through the porous separator into the catholyte compartment and to form alkali alcoholate in the catholyte compartment, wherein the alkali ion concentration in the buffer compartment remains substantially constant;
• (f) maintaining the concentration of the alkali alcoholate in the catholyte compartment of the electrolytic cell between about 2% by weight and about 28% by weight of the contents of the catholyte compartment;
• and
• (g) removing alkali alcoholate from the catholyte compartment.