The Metal-Catalyzed Autoxidation of Cumene

The catalysis of metal carboxylates and metal phthalocyanines in the autoxidation of cumene was kinetically studied. The limiting rate of oxidation of cumene was just over half the theoretical rate of kp2(RH)2/2kt suggesting that the induced decomposition of cumyl hydroperoxide due to cumyloxy radical proceeds rapidly. The effect of metal catalyst in the autoxidation of cumene was concluded to be caused by the decomposition of hydroperoxide and not by the activation of oxygen, since the rate of oxidation increased with the increase in the rate of metal-catalyzed decomposition of hydroperoxide. The synergistic effect on the metal-catalyzed autoxidation of cumene was proved to result from the synergistic effect of metal salts on the decomposition of hydroperoxide. The oxidation products of cumene varied remarkably according to reaction conditions.