Micellar and Transition Metal Ion Catalysed Oxidation of Pentanol in Aqueous Medium

Abstract

Abstract Micelles and 4d- or 5d-transition metal ions have been proved to be effective catalysts for the oxidation of 1-pentanol by Ce(IV) in aqueous medium under pseudo 1st order reaction conditions at 258C. Although cationic micelles show a speed retarding effect, anionic SDS micelles accelerate the reaction rate. The Ir(III) and Ru(III) catalysed reactions show shorter half-lives at micromolar concentration. Active Ce(IV) species are also identified and an explanation of the different catalytic activities of metal ions and micelles is presented. The accumulation of the substrate in the Stern-layer of the SDS micelles is detected. The reaction product is confirmed by melting point analysis, a 2,4-DNP test, and by IR and NMR studies.