Electrogenerative and related processes

A number of organic electrogenerative processes are described and explained by reviewing various aspects of studies associated with them. Electrogenerative hydrogenation, dehydrogenation, halogenation, and oxidation of alcohols are discussed together with possibilities for process improvement. Hydrogenation is used as a model for reviewing studies which correspond to the conventional ones of organic chemistry. The oxidation of ethanol vapor to acetaldehyde is used as an illustration of a potentially viable electrogenerative process. Generated electricity is a byproduct in electrogenerative processing and a useful indicator of the rate of reactant consumption. However, product selectivity may be lost where generation of high currents becomes the major consideration.