Oxidation of cumene by dioxygen. The effect of radical initiators on the rate of the reaction catalyzed by 3d-transition metal 2,4-pentanedionates

Abstract

The effect of cumene hydroperoxide, benzoin ethyl ether and dibenzoyl peroxide on the oxidation of cumene by dioxygen catalyzed by VO(II), Cr(III), Mn(II), Fe(III), Co(II), Co(III) and Cu(II) 2,4-pentanedionates was studied. The rate of the catalyzed oxidation of cumene by dioxgen can not only be increased but also decreased by the presence of radical initiators, whereas in the absence of the catalyst the oxidation rate is always increased by the radical initiators. Which effect takes actually place is determined by the kind and oxidation state of the transition metal ion catalyst as well as by the kind of the radical initiator.