Ultrasonic effects on electroorganic processes. Part 27. Electroreduction of acrylonitrile at suspended lead particle-electrode

Ultrasonic effect on the electroreduction of acrylonitrile at suspended lead particle-electrode was examined. The product selectivity for adiponitrile, which was formed as the corresponding hydrodimeric product along with propionitrile as the hydromonomeric one in the cathodic reduction of acrylonitrile, was increased by addition of lead particles as a particle-electrode, and moreover the selectivity was further increased under ultrasonication. This ultrasonic effect is rationalized as due to not only mass transport of lead particles to the feeder cathode but also an increase in the effective surface area of particle-electrode by ultrasonic dispersion. A mechanism for the ultrasonic effect is discussed in detail on the basis of the reaction system.