On the Critical Phenomena in the Decomposition of Hydroperoxides and in the Autoxidation of Cumene with Bis(acetylacetonato)manganese(II)

Abstract

Abstract The decomposition of 1-methyl-1-phenylethyl hydroperoxide and t-butyl hydroperoxide with Mn(II)(acac)2 and the autoxidation of cumene with Mn(II)(acac)2, Mn(III)(acac)3, and MnCO3 have been studied at 323 K. In the decomposition of the hydroperoxides with Mn(II)(acac)2, the peroxyl radicals are observed only when the initial ratio of hydroperoxide to catalyst amount exceeds a certain value. The critical phenomenon is observed in the oxidation of cumene with Mn(II)(acac)2 and also with MnCO3. A scheme for the cause of the critical phenomena has been proposed.