Abstracts Chemistry

A study of the electrolytic reduction of pyrrole

by Don Richard Strehlau

"A review of the chemical literature has shown that electro-organic methods compare favorably with purely chemical methods for certain syntheses belonging to the following general classes of reactions: coupling, oxidation, reactions with halogens, and reductions. Electro-organic methods have been used most successfully in synthesis by reduction. The chief advantage is using electrolytic reduction in preference to a chemical one is that it offers a more exact control of conditions, and consequently should give a higher yield and a purer product. The advantages of the means of reduction suggested an investigation of its use in the synthesis of hydrogenated products of pyrrole, and unsaturated heterocyclic ring compound. Two possible reduction products might results; a 2-5 dihydro pyrrole (pyrroline), and a tetra hydropyrrole (pyrrolidine), both of which are known and have been characterized. They have been produced by chemical and catalytic reduction in low yields from pyrrole. The variable conditions to be studied in this investigation will include composition of the catholyte, cathode material, current density, time of electrolysis and temperature" – Introduction, p. 1.