A Method for Preparing Tetramethyl Ammonium Hydroxide
Jun 14, 2022Tetramethylammonium hydroxide is an organic base with extremely wide applications in industrial research. Electrolysis is a commonly used method for preparing Tetramethylammonium hydroxide.
The principle of preparing Tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide by electrolysis is that under the action of electric field force, the chloride ions in the Tetramethyl ammonium chloride aqueous solution in the anode chamber of the electrolytic cell migrate towards the anode until they discharge on the anode and precipitate chlorine gas. Meanwhile, due to the selective permeability of the ion exchange membrane, chloride ions cannot diffuse through the ion exchange membrane. Only tetramethylammonium ions can Chemicalbook selectively penetrate and enter the cathode chamber, where they are enriched. Water molecules in the cathode chamber of an electrolytic cell decompose into hydrogen and hydroxide ions on the cathode. The latter happens to combine with Tetramethyl ammonium ions migrated from the anode chamber to form Tetramethylammonium hydroxide. As the power consumption increases, the concentration of Tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide continues to increase, ultimately reaching the expected crude concentration.
The anodic electrochemical reaction is: (CH3)4NCl→(CH3)4N++Clˉ 2Clˉ— 2e→Cl2↑
The cathodic electrochemical reaction is: H2O→H+ + OHˉ (CH3)4N++OHˉ→(CH3)4NOH 2H++2e→H2↑
The total reaction is: 2(CH3)4NCl+2H2O→2(CH3)4NOH+H2↑+Cl2↑
The hydrogen gas generated in the electrolysis method is vented, and the generated chlorine gas is absorbed by alkaline solution to generate sodium hypochlorite, which is the main raw material for bleaching powder. Therefore, this method for preparing Tetramethylammonium hydroxide is simple, highly purified, and environmentally friendly.
Zhongnan Gaoke, Changfeng, Hefei, China
Email : muguang10@gmail.com
