Electrochemical reactions of propylenecarbonate and electrolytes solved therein—a dems study

The electrogenerated products of propylenecarbonate and of its usual conducting electrolytes have been identified by on line mass spectrometry and their rate of formations have been measured as a function of the electrode potential. Propylenecarbonate itself is cathodically reduced to propene and carbonate while carbon dioxide is observed anodically. The oxidation of perchlorate ions yields primarily ClO2 followed by further chlorine containing products. Me4N+ ions are reduced to the corresponding amine. In parallel, the production of methane could be detected whereby one hydrogen atom of the molecule originates from trace water as was shown by isotope labelling.