Effect of final products on the kinetics of 1-phenylethanol oxidation with air

Abstract Oxidation of 1-phenylethanol with air at atmospheric pressure in the liquid-phase has been studied establishing the influence of the main reaction products: hydrogen peroxide and acetophenone. Kinetic equations describing the system evolution have been obtained. At low initial concentrations (about 0.1 M) hydrogen peroxide acts like an initiator of radical chains promoting the oxidation rate of 1-phenylethanol. At higher concentrations, the radicals recombine producing water and thereby, reducing peroxide production. The presence of acetophenone in reaction medium has not an important effect on the rate of 1-phenylethanol oxidation but participates in several secondary reactions when reacting with hydrogen peroxide.