Catalytic photo-oxidation of cyclohexene by aqueous uranyl–polymolybdate(VI) systems

Abstract

The mechanism of catalytic photo-oxidation of organic substrates by the aqueous uranyl–polymolybdate system has been studied. The photoactive species is the excited uranyl ion, the reactivity of which towards organic solutes is enhanced by the presence of polycondensed molybdate ions. The role of the mixed valence blue polymolybdates in the catalytic cycle of alkene oxidation has been elucidated; the formation of a long-lived exciplex [Mo_mO_Y^p–, UO₂²⁺]* species in the primary steps of the mechanistic scheme is suggested.