Electrochemical processes to convert alkali sulfates into useful chemical products, such as syngas, alkali hydroxide, and sulfur are disclosed. An alkali sulfate is reacted with carbon to form carbon monoxide and alkali sulfide. In one embodiment, the alkali sulfide is dissolved in water and subjected to electrochemical reaction to form alkali hydroxide, hydrogen, and sulfur. In another embodiment, the alkali sulfide is reacted with iodine to form alkali iodide sulfur in a non-aqueous solvent, such as methyl alcohol. The alkali iodide is electrochemically reacted to form alkali hydroxide, hydrogen, and iodine. The iodine may be recycled to react with additional alkali sulfide. The hydrogen and carbon monoxide from both embodiments may be combined to form syngas. The alkali hydroxide from both embodiments may be recovered as a useful industrial chemical.