Studies of oxidations by fenton's reagent using redox titrations. IV. Oxidation of ethanol and t-butyl alcohol

Abstract

The oxidation of ethanol by Fenton's reagent was studied to confirm the validity of the redox titration procedure. A quantitative analysis of oxidation products during the complete oxidation of ethanol and its consecutive oxidation products is presented.   The oxidation of t-butyl alcohol was studied under a number of different conditions and yields of acetone and the dimer, 2,5- dimethylhexane-2,5-diol, were obtained. The effects of oxygen, copper salts, and chloride and bromide ions on this oxidation were studied.     The ratio of reaction rates of ethanol and t-butyl alcohol with the free hydroxyl radical was determined.