Hydrogen Peroxide → Cumen hydroperoxide

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

Into a 250 ml round bottom flask equipped with a magnetic stirrer, condenser, thermometer and addition funnel were added 59.0 grams (B 0.05 m) α-methylstyrene and 9.8 grams (0.2 m) of 70% H2O2. The flask was immersed in a 25° C. water bath and the temperature allowed to come to 23° C. Then with rapid stirring, 6.2 grams (0.14 m) of cumyl chloride were added over 5 minutes. The reaction mixture was stirred vigorously for 35 minutes at 25° C.±2° C., the reaction temperature raised to 30° C. and stirred 1 hour at 30° C.±2° C., the reaction temperature raised to 35° C. and the reaction mixture stirred an additional hour at 35° C.±2° C., the reaction temperature raised to 40° C. and the reaction mixture stirred 1 hour at 40° C.± 2° C. At this point there was essentially no dicumyl peroxide formed and about 5% cumene hydroperoxide formed. The reaction mixture was allowed to stand at room temperature over the weekend and then stirred an additional 2 hours at room temperature. The gas chromatography scans indicated there was still less than 1% dicumyl peroxide present and about 5% cumene hydroperoxide present. The reaction mixture was stirred with 15% NaOH, the organic layer separated and discarded in the organic waste bottle since it contained essentially no dicumyl peroxide.

Provenance & Evidence