Combination of best promoter and catalyst for hypervalent chromium oxidation of l-sorbose to lactone of C5 aldonic acid in aqueous media at room temperature

Abstract

Chromic acid oxidation of l-sorbose to lactone of C5 aldonic acid has been studied in aqueous media. The effect of promoter (PA, phen and bpy), micellar catalyst (SDS, TX-100 and CPC) and their combination is studied. All the reactions were performed under the condition [l-sorbose]T≫[Cr(VI)]T. All the promoters accelerate the reaction rate. But the rate is highest in the presence of phen. In absence of promoter anionic surfactant SDS increases the rate followed by TX-100 whereas cationic surfactant CPC retards the reaction in comparison to aqueous media. Although phen is the best promoter in the absence of catalyst combination of bpy and SDS produces maximum rate enhancement.