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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Electrochemical Syntheses Involving Carbon Dioxide

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The recent developments of electrosynthetic processes involving carbon dioxide are reviewed. Both processes involving carbon dioxide alone and electrocarboxylations are taken under consideration. The first of these two fields, mainly projected towards the production of basic chemicals such as methanol or carbon monoxide, is at present at a stage of fundamental research. Some interesting developments have recently appeared in the literature, concerning the use of electrode materials, or of transition metal complexes with particular catalytic activity. Electrocarboxylations are at a stage of more applicative development: some processes have reached the stage of pilot plant, and other have interesting, perspectives of application. A considerable effort has been devoted to the development of processes in undivided cells, with anodic reactions involving the oxidation of oxalates or formates, or the dissolution of sacrificial anodes. Specially designed electrochemical reactors have also been developed. The proper application field for electrocarboxylation processes appears to be the production of fine chemicals.