Ultrasonic effects on electroorganic processes: Part 17. Product selectivity control in cathodic reduction of acrylonitrile

Product selectivity for adiponitrile, which was formed as the corresponding hydrodimeric product along with propionitrile as the hydromonomeric product in the cathodic reduction of acrylonitrile, was significantly increased under ultrasonic irradiation with an intensity above the ultrasonic cavitation threshold. This ultrasonic effect is rationalized as due to mass transport promotion of acrylonitrile molecules to the cathode surface from the bulk electrolytic solution by high speed jet streams caused by the cavitation. A mechanism for the ultrasonic effect is discussed in detail on the basis of the reaction pathway of the hydrodimerization of acrylonitrile.