The electrochemical reduction of Benzaldehyde

The steady-state galvanostatic reduction of benzaldehyde in aqueous sulphuric acid, sodium sulphate and sodium hydroxide at current densities from 1 to 5 A dm−1 was studied. A parallel plate cell with forced convection was used with Pb cathode and ion-exchange membrane. The reduction products were quantitatively analysed and a reaction mechanism supporting the findings of earlier workers is proposed based on the partial current densities for benzyl alcohol and hydrobenzoin formation. Evidence is advanced to suggest that absorbed intermediate species take part in the mechanism.