Synthesis of 1,1-diethoxyethane from ethanol using electrogenerated acid

Abstract We introduce a novel reaction where electrogenerated acid enhances ethanol upgrading. Electrochemical oxidation of ethanol produces acetaldehyde and protons; the protons act as electrogenerated acid, catalyzing acetalization to form 1,1-diethoxyethane. Stirring the solution shifts the reaction toward acetaldehyde production because electrogenerated acid is neutralized by an electrogenerated base at the cathode.