Reactor Design for the Direct Electrosynthesis of Periodate

A reactor design to continuously produce sodium paraperiodate under strongly alkaline conditions is presented. The target compound is generated by direct electrosynthesis. The approach combines the concepts of cyclic flow electrolysis and a continuous stirred tank reactor (e-CSTR), which is operated in a steady-state mode. It enables fully continuous operation and allows the flexible and independent use of various iodine sources as starting materials. Further developments are the use of either dissolved or solid starting materials, the inline separation of the product, and the recycling of electrolytes. This enables a cost-efficient synthesis of metaperiodate from sodium iodide in Ph. Eur. quality.