Abstract
The chapter describes the process of oxidation of alkanes, haloalkanes, and alkenes. Oxidation of alkanes involves the removal of an electron from either a carbon-hydrogen or a carbon-carbon σ-bond. As far as the oxidation of haloalkanes is concerned, the electrochemical oxidation of alkyl bromides and iodides leads to the loss of a nonbonding electron from the halogen substituent, followed by the cleavage of the carbon-halogen bond to form a carbonium ion and a halogen atom. The products isolated are formed by further reactions of the carbonium ion, while two of the halogen atoms combine to form the halogen molecule. Radical-cations from primary alkyl iodides are detectable as very short-lived intermediates. The electrochemical oxidization of alkenes is carried out in nucleophilic solvents, such as alcohols, acetic acid, or acetonitrile, using an undivided cell and the isolated products result from quenching of intermediate carbonium ions by nucleophiles. Most alkene hydrocarbons show a single two-electron wave at a rotating disc electrode due to the formation of a radical-cation and its subsequent reactions. The oxidation potentials of alkenes are made less positive by alkyl substitution.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Electrochemical Reactions and Mechanisms in Organic Chemistry
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
