Kinetics of the autoxidation of toluenes catalysed by cobaltic acetate. Part II. Effects of benzaldehyde, cobalt, and substituent

Abstract

The change in concentrations of toluene and benzaldehyde during the autoxidation of toluene catalysed by cobaltic acetate in acetic acid at 90° has been measured by gas chromatography. The ratio [PhCHO]/[PhCH₃] is constant after the steady state has been attained, and it does not change with various initial concentrations of toluene and cobaltic acetate. The value of the ratio corresponds to the lowest concentration of added benzaldehyde necessary for the disappearance of the induction period. The autoxidation is also catalysed by cobaltic acetate prepared by the anodic oxidation of cobaltous ion. The effect of substituents in the benzene ring is measured. A probable mechanism and the derived rate law are discussed.