Indirect electrosynthesis of peracetic acid using hydrogen peroxide generated in situ in a gas diffusion electrode

Indirect electrochemical oxidation of acetic to peracetic acid in aqueous solutions using hydrogen peroxide generated in situ from O2 in a gas diffusion electrode was studied. The use of sulfuric acid and ammonium molybdate as catalysts accelerated the formation of peracetic acid during the electrolysis, and the use of both catalysts allowed us to prepare 0.02 M solutions. The limiting stage of the electrosynthesis of peracetic acid was the chemical interaction of the substrate with the generated H2O2. The desired product mainly formed during the storage of the reaction mixture after the electrosynthesis. In electrolytes with more than 3.5 M acetic acid, the electrochemical activity of the gas-diffusion cathode decreased.