70 ELECTROCHEMISTRY OF ORGANIC COMPOUNDS.

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reduced in acid and alkaline solution at a lead cathode to
isopropyl alcohol and pinacone. The yields of the latter,
however, are better in acid solution. About 40 parts of
isopropyl alcohol and 20 parts of pinacone are obtained from
100 parts of acetone, if a sulphuric-acid electrolyte is employed.
The reactions take place according to the equations:

1. CH3COCH3 +2H =OH3CH(()H)CH3,

2. 2CH3COCH3 +2H -CH

The claims of the patent were verified by Klbs.1 Elbs and
Brand2 publish the following details: In a 10% sodium-hydrox-
ide solution the reduction of acetone at a loud cathode proceeds
even with a low current density, hydrogen being continually
liberated. The yield of isopropyl alcohol and pinacone is
small; and the by-products are mosityloxide, phorone, and
other condensation products. About 120 g. pure isopropyl
alcohol arid GO g. pinacone hydrate worfc obtained in dilute
sulphuric-acid solution from 300 g. acetone, load cathodes
being; also used in this ease. At mercury cathodes the reduc-
tion of acetone leads to a smooth conversion into isopropyl
alcohol (Tafel3), without appreciable quantities of pinacone
being formed. The cathode electrolyte was 40% sulphuric
acid. The experiments were made by keeping the solution
cool with ice.
Richard 4 reverts to the attempts of Mulder arid Riche to
prepare halogen compounds of acetone. These substitution
processes occur, of course, at the anode. With a low anode
current density and in concentrated hydrochloric-acid solution
(3 vol. acetone to 2 vol. hydrochloric acid) rnonoehloraeetone
is produced, the fluid being ice-cooled, and unattackable elec-
1 Ztschr. f. Blektrochemie 7, 644 (1901). Bee also Bibs and Schmitz,
Journ. f. prakt. Chem. 51, 891 (1895).
3 Ztschr. f. Elektrochemie 8, 78$ (1902).
8 Ibid, 288 (1902).
4 Compt. rend, 133, 878 (1901).