Ruthenium(III) and ruthenium(III)-EDTA catalysed oxidation of diethylamine by molecular oxygen

Abstract The oxidation of diethylamine catalysed by Ru(III) ion and Ru(III)-EDTA complex in aqueous solution was investigated at 35 °C (μ = 0.1 M KCl). The reactions show a first-order dependence with respect to catalysts and substrate concentrations, and independence with respect to molecular oxygen concentration. The rate of the reaction was found to increase slightly with pH in the range 1.5 to 2.5. The major products of the oxidation of diethylamine were the corresponding imine, N -hydroxyethylamine and acetaldehyde. The products were analysed by TLC, GLC and IR spectroscopy.