If I use concentrated acetic acid (glacial acetic acid($\ce{CH3COOH}$)) as an electrolyte. What ions are produced at the anode and cathode?
Can I get ethanol with it ($\ce{C2H6O}$)? If not, what would be the products?
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Sign up to join this communityIf I use concentrated acetic acid (glacial acetic acid($\ce{CH3COOH}$)) as an electrolyte. What ions are produced at the anode and cathode?
Can I get ethanol with it ($\ce{C2H6O}$)? If not, what would be the products?
Upon electrolysis, organic acids will lose the carboxyl group and dimerize. This is known as the Kolbe electrolysis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolbe_electrolysis
In the case of electrolysis of acetic acid, ethane and $\ce{CO2}$ will be formed.