KINETICS AND MECHANISM OF THE CATALYTIC-OXIDATION OF CYCLOPENTENE TO GLUTARALDEHYDE WITH AQUEOUS HYDROGEN-PEROXIDE

Kinetics and mechanism of the catalytic oxidation of cyclopentene to g lutaraldehyde by aqueous hydrogen peroxide have been studied. In tungs tic acid-t-butanol system, cyclopentene is first oxidized to cyclopent ene oxide almost quantitatively, which is then transferred into an int ermediate. The intermediate, which is separated and identified as beta -hydroxycyclopentylhydroperoxide, can easily change: into glutaraldehy de during purification. The study shows that during the formation of t he intermediate two by-products are also formed. These three reactions are found to be of first-order parallel reactions. The effects of tem perature and concentration of tungstic acid, hydrogen peroxide, water and t-butanol on the reaction rates have been studied. A suitable mech anism for the reaction has bean proposed.