Synthesis StarterKit

Synthesis StarterKit

for a successful use of diamond electrodes in the laboratory

Ideal for electrochemistry courses and internships at universities and schools

Due to its simple and modular concept, the Synthesis StarterKit is an ideal instrument for use in practical chemistry courses at universities and colleges, as well as for demonstration experiments at secondary schools. It enables students and pupils to already gain experience with high-tech and future-oriented electrode materials during their education. Furthermore, the practice-oriented cell concept illustrates the transition from concept to scalable electrosynthesis cell.


The Synthesis - StarterKit is a flexible and modular tool for flow electrolysis on a small laboratory scale. It is designed to support you at the beginning of the development of an electrochemical process and is robust, flexible and easy to use. Each part is available separately.


The system features a state-of-the-art DIACHEM® BDD anode to benefit from the unique properties of this electrode material. Due to its flexible design concept, you can expand the system to achieve the highest efficiency in the development of advanced electrochemical technology.


Download Flyer (en.) Download Flyer (ger.)
Synthesis StarterKit: stainless steel plate with four external holes
Synthesis StarterKit: assembled steel sandwich cell

7 Application Notes for a Direct Start

Benefit from our experience: on the one hand seven test protocols teach basic working techniques and on the other hand allow you to perform first electrosyntheses in a simple way. This allows the user to become familiar with the system. The following experiments are available so far:

Advantages of our Synthesis StarterKit

modular design - each part can be purchased separately

equipped with DIACHEM® BDD anode (Boron Doped Diamond)

includes a laboratory power supply for the electrolysis cell as well as an adjustable power supply unit for fan and pump

Properties of our Synthesis StarterKit

electrode 26 mm diameter
size 3.14 cm² active surface
seal Viton® or Tealon®
weight 0.8 kg
cylinder 6 mm diameter
anode DIACHEM® BDD-Anode
cathode structured stainless steel for the electrolyte feed
Download data sheet, English version
  • Robust stainless steel for cathode end plates and anode contacting
  • Fast opening and closing mechanism for tube fixing
  • Interelectrode distance adjustable from 1 mm to 5 mm by seal thickness
  • 3.14 cm² active electrode
  • Only a few sealing parts for easy assembly and faultless operation
  • Expandable for bipolar cell operation

01 Recording Flow/Pressure Curve

Synthesis StarterKit: recording of flow-pressure curves

Determining the pressure drop inside an electrochemical cell is an important factor.


This is mostly done in order to find suitable pump parameters and to prepare the cell scaleup and the related electrochemical process.

Download Application Note 1, English version Download Application Note 1, German version

02 Recording Current/Voltage Curves

Synthesis StarterKit: recording of current-voltage characteristics

An electrochemical cell does not exhibit the electrical characteristics of a pure Ohmic system. The electrons pass several interfaces, mainly the electrode-electrolyte interfaces. Depending on the nature of the electrode reaction, the exponential behavior of the current/voltage curves can be significantly different at low current densities.


At higher current densities, the curve propagation begins to be linear and the slope of the curve describes the Ohmic voltage drop across the electrolyte.

Download Application Note 2, English version Download Application Note 2, German version

03 Oxidative Transformation of Uranine

Synthesis StarterKit: Oxidative conversion of uranine

This Application Note describes the oxidative transformation of Uranine by using a BDD electrode. Oxidative reactions in organic chemistry are very common and some of them are highly linked to the electrode material.


The Syntheses StarterKit can be directly used for this experiment without any modifications.

Download Application Note 3, English version Download Application Note 3, German version

04 Oxidation of Sodium Chlorate Solution

Synthesis StarterKit: oxidation of a sodium chlorate solution
This Application Note describes the oxidative transformation of sodium chlorate to sodium perchlorate by using a BDD electrode.

NaClO₃ + H₂O → NaClO₄ + H₂

The oxidation number of the Cl atom changes from +V to +VII. The cathodic reaction is the production of hydrogen gas from water. The reaction mechanism can be described as a oneelectron oxidation of both chlorate and water to a chlorate radical and a hydroxyl radical with successive recombination.
Download Application Note 4, English version Download Application Note 4, German version

05 Production of Peroxodicarbonate

Synthesis StarterKit: production of peroxo-dicarbonate
This Application Note describes the oxidative transformation of sodium carbonate to sodium peroxydicarbonate by using a BDD electrode. The setup is depicted in the illustration. The following chemical equation sums up all reactants and products:

2 Na₂CO₃ + 2 H₂O → Na₂C₂O₆ + 2 NaOH + H₂

The oxidation number of the carbon atoms stays constant while the oxidation number of two oxygen atoms changes from -II to –I in the peroxo group. The graphical representation of the peroxodicarbonate anion shows the expected non-planarity in the C-O-O-C substructure. The corresponding dihedral angle is 90.3°. The dipole moment of the strongly oxidizing anion is 2.3 Debye. The Mayer bond order of the peroxo group is 0.80 (O2²⁻: 0,83)and the HOMO-LUMO gap can be calculated to be 7.6 eV (O2²⁻: 6,3 eV).
Download Application Note 5, English version Download Application Note 5, German version

06 Production of Persulfate

Synthesis StarterKit: production of persulfate
This Application Note describes the oxidative transformation of sodium sulfate to sodium persulfate by using a BDD electrode. The setup is depicted in the illustration. The following chemical equation sums up all reactants and products:

2 Na₂SO₄ + 2 H₂O → Na₂S₂O₈ + 2 NaOH + H₂

The oxidation number of the sulfate atoms stays constant while the oxidation number of two oxygen atoms if changing from -II to –I in the peroxo group.
Download Application Note 6, English version Download Application Note 6, German version

07 Titration of Oxidizers

Synthesis StarterKit: 7 Titration of oxidizing agents

This Application Note describes the iodometric titration of peroxodicarbonate (PODIC®) as an example for the determination of oxidants generated with the Synthesis StarterKit.

Download Application Note 7, English version Download Application Note 7, German version

08 Using the Bipolar Extension Set (BES)

Synthesis StarterKit: 8 Using the Bipolar Extension Set (BES)

The Synthesis StarterKit’s monopolar cell is designed to be expanded to a bipolar cell using the Bipolar Extension Set (BES) which is basically an additional cathode and anode.


This offers an easy way to demonstrate the two concepts in real-life applications. All experiments described in other Application Notes can be performed with the bipolar Setup.

Download Application Note 8, English version

09 Using the Divided Cell Extension Set (DCES)

Synthesis StarterKit: 9 Using the Divided Cell Extension Set (DCES)

In a divided cell, anolyte and catholyte are separated by an ion conductive material. Examples are diaphragms or ion exchange membranes like Nafion®. The Divided Cell Extension Set (DCES) offers the possibility to extend the standard Synthesis StarterKit to a divided cell by providing a PTFE frame, a membrane and sealing material. 

Download Application Note 9, English version

10 Production of PODIC® with the DCES

Synthesis StarterKit: 10 Production of PODIC® with the DCES

This application note describes the production of peroxo-dicarbonate (PODIC®) using a divided cell. For details regarding the divided cell, see App Note 09. The production of peroxo-dicarbonate (PODIC®) in an undivided cell as well as an overview of its chemical properties are described in App Note 05. 

Download Application Note 10, English version

11 Using the Full Diamond Extension Set (FDES)

Synthesis StarterKit: 11 Using the Full Diamond Extension Set (FDES)

The Full Diamond Extension Set (FDES) offers the possibility to extend the standard Synthesis StarterKit to a cell with BDD anode and cathode by providing a PTFE frame, a sealing gasket, a conductive carbon felt and an additional BDD electrode. 

Download Application Note 11, English version
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