26 ELECTROLYSIS AND ELECTROS YNTHESIS 



The decomposition reactions of oxalic acid salts are 

 entirely analogous to those of the free acid. In alka- 

 line solution the oxidation proceeds more rapidly than 

 in neutral solution because of the better conductivity 

 of the alkalies. 



Malonic Acid. This acid was investigated by Bour- 

 goin. 1 In a concentrated solution of sirupy consis- 

 tency it, like oxalic acid, is only slowly oxidized to 

 carbon dioxide, with the evolution of hydrogen. A 

 strongly concentrated solution of the unaltered acid is 

 found surrounding the positive electrode, even after 

 an electrolysis of long duration. On the electrolysis 

 of the sodium salt carbon monoxide is also present in 

 the escaping gas mixture. The ratio of the different 

 gases, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and oxygen, 

 remains fairly constant during the period of electroly- 

 sis (85.8$, 9.7*, 4.5*). 



In alkaline solution the decomposition products are 

 the same as in neutral solution, the ratio only of the 

 separate gases being different, and varying with the 

 duration of the electrolysis. 



Succinic Acid. Bourgoin 2 and Kekule 3 found that 

 the free acid underwent oxidation with difficulty, only 

 a small quantity of carbon monoxide in addition to 

 some oxygen and carbon dioxide being formed. 



1 Ann. chim. phys., [i] 14, 157; Comp. rend., 90, 608. 

 8 Bull. soc. chim., [2] 9, 301; ibid., 21, 1695. 

 3 Lieb. Ann., 131, 84. 



