Homogeneous benzylic oxidation catalysed by some complexes of the platinum group
Abstract
The autoxidation of ethylbenzene and related compounds in the presence of a number of organic compounds of Rh, Ru, Pt, Ir, and Pd is investigated: RhCl(PPh3)3 is found to be a most effective catalyst in this reaction, whilst the application of RuCl2(PPh3)3 is limited to the oxidation of non-halogenated alkylarenes and requires the addition of polyhalogenoalkane as co-catalyst. The reaction mechanism is discussed.