The Effects of Solvent and Oxygen Pressure on the Autoxidation of Benzoin Catalysed by Nickel Acetate

Abstract

Kinetic results are reported for the autoxidation of benzoin, catalysed by nickel acetate in methanol and ethanol. The reaction in methanol is first order with respect to benzoin and the catalyst and is independent of the oxygen partial pressure. The reaction is non-free-radical and probably involves a coordination complex between the substrate and the catalyst. In ethanol the reaction is found to obey second-order reversible kinetics with respect to benzoin and first-order kinetics with respect to the catalyst. The oxidation is also at least 10 times faster in ethanol than in methanol at 303 K.