Selection of Promoter and Micellar Catalyst for Chromic Acid Oxidation of Tartaric Acid in Aqueous Medium at Room Temperature

Abstract

Abstract Chromic acid oxidation of tartaric acid in aqueous acid media produces glycolaldehyde very sluggishly at room temperature. Suitable combination of promoter (2,2′-bipyridine and 1,10-phenanthroline) and micellar catalyst (sodium dodecyl sulphate, cetylpyridinium chloride, triton X-100) enhances the rate of reaction to almost 14-fold. Observation showed that anionic surfactant (SDS) and nonionic surfactant (TX-100) accelerates the process but cationic surfactant (CPC) retards the reaction. The efficient combination for the production of glycolaldehyde from tartaric acid is found to be 1,10-phenanthroline and SDS.