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Abstract

A process is described for preparing organic and inorganic hydroxides or alkoxides, or ammonia or organic amines from the corresponding salts in an electrolysis cell which comprises an anolyte compartment containing an anode and an electrolyte solution, a catholyte compartment containing a cathode, and an intermediate compartment containing a liquid wherein said intermediate compartment is separated from the catholyte compartment by an anion selective membrane and from the anolyte compartment by a cation selective membrane, said process comprising the steps of: (A) charging to the catholyte compartment, a mixture comprising an organic or inorganic salt or an amine salt, and a liquid selected from water or organic liquids provided that sufficient water is present in the catholyte mixture to form the desired hydroxide or amine, or sufficient alcohol is present in the catholyte mixture to form the desired alkoxide; (B) passing a current through the electrolysis cell to produce the desired hydroxide, alkoxide or amine in the catholyte compartment and an acid in the intermediate compartment; (D) recovering the organic or inorganic hydroxide or alkoxide or the amine from the catholyte compartment; and (E) recovering the acid from the intermediate compartment. The organic and inorganic hydroxides and alkoxides, or amines prepared by the process of the invention are characterized by improved purity, and production costs are lower than many other processes. The processes of the invention also are particularly useful for preparing higher molecular weight quaternary and tertiary ammonium hydroxides and alkoxides.

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First Claim