OXIDATION OF AROMATIC-HYDROCARBONS WITH OXYGEN IN A RADIOFREQUENCY PLASMA

The reactions of three aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene, toluene, and st yrene, with oxygen in a radiofrequency (rf) plasma were investigated. Benzene was oxidized to yield phenol as a single volatile organic prod uct. Similarly, toluene gave the ring oxidation products, cresols, as well as considerable amounts of methyl oxidation products, consisting mainly of benzaldehyde and benzyl alcohol. In contrast, the oxidation of styrene took place predominantly on the olefinic double bond to pro duce styrene oxide. On basis of the products and effects of reaction v ariables, rf power and flow rates of hydrocarbons and oxygen, on the r eaction rate, the oxidation mechanism was discussed, particularly focu sing on the intermediate species responsible for the formation of majo r products.