P-methoxybenzaldehyde dimethyl acetal

The anodic oxidation of p-methoxytoluene was carried out in 0.1 M KF/MeOH, and p-methoxybenzaldehyde dimethyl acetal was obtained in 98% efficiency, which was higher than that of the conventional batch industrial electrochemical processes (85%) [16]. 

Experimental Procedure Before the electrolysis, a solution of trifluoromethane-sulfonic acid in methanol (0.125 M, 0.5 ml) is introduced at the inlet to fill the anodic and cathodic chambers. After that, a 0.05 M solution of p-methoxytoluene (31 mg, 0.25 mmol) in methanol (5 ml) is fed into the inlet of the anodic chamber (flow rate 2 ml/h). The electrolysis is carried out under constant current conditions (11mA, 4.0 F/mol and 22 mA, 8.0 F/mol based on the amount of p-methoxytoluene) at room temperature (cooled in a water bath). The outlet solution is discarded until it becomes neutral, and then the aliquots (1 ml) of the outlet solution are collected at intervals and analyzed by GC to determine the amount of the product, p-methoxybenzaldehyde dimethyl acetal. For preparative purpose, the outlet solution is collected in a flask and the product is isolated using a conventional technique. 

---