Amine acceleration of oxidation of styrene epoxide with oxygen in acidic media

Additives of aromatic amines (aniline, α-naphtylamine, o-, p-, and m-aminophenols) accelerate the low-temperature (343 K) molecular oxygen uptake by styrene epoxides in acetonitrile solution of toluenesulfonic acid. Amines decrease the output of benzaldehyde (oxidation product) and nearly suppress the formation of phenylacetaldehyde, the product of acid-catalyzed conversion of styrene epoxide.