CUMENE PHOTOOXIDATION OVER POWDER TIO2 CATALYST

The heterogeneous photoassisted oxidation of cumene in liquid acetonit rile-oxygenated dispersions containing TiO2 catalyst has been studied in a photochemical reactor radiating predominantly at 365-366 nm. Acet ophenone and CO2 have been detected as sole products. Particular atten tion is focused on the extent of cumene adsorption on the catalyst par ticle and its relation with the mechanistic features of cumene oxidati on. A mechanism invoking methyl instead of phenyl migration, as observ ed in the thermal catalytic reaction, is proposed.