ON THE KINETICS OF ANODIC PROCESSES AT OXIDATION OF AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS OF DIMETHYL SULFOXIDE

Dimethyl sulfoxide is a feedstock for a large number of organic substances syntheses. Nowadays research is considerably focused on the production of general products of dimethyl sulfoxide oxidation – dimethyl sulfone and methane sulfonic acid. Dimethyl sulfone is well–known as a food supplement for the treating and strengthening of human joints and ligaments. dimethyl sulfone is basically synthesized by oxidation of dimethyl sulfoxide in hot 30 % hydrogen peroxide in glacial acetic acid. Synthesis is accompanied by significant losses of hydrogen peroxide, the target product has to be significantly purified. It becomes possible to control the synthesis of pure dimethyl sulfone and methane sulfonic acid when using the electrochemical method of oxidation of dimethyl sulfoxide in its aqueous solution with chemically resistant anode and high overvoltage of oxygen reaction Controlled synthesis is relevant because sulfur tends to change the oxidation rate. Study of kinetics of anodic processes at platinum electrode was performed in the dimethyl sulfoxide concentration range about 1.0…4.0 mol∙dm–3. Current raise was observed at potentials that are more positive than 1.3…1.4 V. This potential range corresponds to oxygen release. Dissolved sulfuric acid (0.2 mol∙dm–3) was added in order to inhibit the oxygen release and achieve the potential for the formation of peroxide radicals in aqueous solutions of dimethyl sulfoxide. It is known that sulfate ions are adsorbed on the surface of the platinum anode, displacing molecules of protonated water. This allows to shift the potentials and increase of the electrolysis current in 0.2 mol∙dm–3 H2SO4 to 1.7…1.9 V. It indicates the processes of formation of peroxide radicals on the surface of the platinum anode. Further shift of the anode potential into more positive area than 2.00…2.05 V leads to a rapid increase in current density. At such potentials, dimethyl sulfoxide and dimethyl sulfone are oxidized to methane sulfonic acid with a parallel oxygen and hydrogen peroxide release. Current–voltage study has shown that the oxidation of dimethyl sulfoxide in aqueous solutions runs through the formation of dimethyl sulfone. When conducting electrochemical synthesis with control of the anode potential, it is possible to produce dimethyl sulfone without further oxidation to methane sulfonic acid. The addition of 0.2 mol∙dm–3 H2SO4 to aqueous dimethyl sulfoxide solutions inhibits oxygen release and intensifies oxidation of dipole dimethyl sulfoxide molecules adsorbed on the platinum surface. The influence of adsorption processes on the kinetics of anode processes at the platinum anode in aqueous solutions of dimethyl sulfoxide at high anode potentials has been studied.