The kinetics of the oxidation of 2-propanol, 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-propanol, 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol, 1-phenyl-2,2,2-trifluoroethanol, 1-(4-methylphenyl)-2,2,2-trifluoroethanol, 1-(3-bromophenyl)-2,2,2-trifluoroethanol, and 1-(3-nitrophenyl)-2,2,2-trifluoroethanol by potassium tetraoxoferrate(VI) have been studied under basic conditions. The products are ketones, formed in almost quantitative yields, iron(III) hydroxide, and dioxygen. The reactions are characterized by substantial enthalpies of activation (40–60 kJ/mol), very unfavorable entropies of activation, large primary deuterium isotope effects, and a positive Hammett ρ value. Both acid and base catalysis are observed. Acid catalysis is attributed to formation of a more reactive oxidant, HFeO4−, at low pH. Base catalysis is attributed partly to the conversion of the reductants to alkoxide ions at high pH, and partly to the reaction of hydroxide ion with tetraoxoferrate(VI) to give a five-coordinated species, HOFeO43−, that reacts rapidly with nucleophiles. A reaction mechanism involving formation of an intermediate ferrate ester is proposed. Keywords: oxidation, alcohols, potassium tetraoxoferrate(VI), ferrate esters, base catalysis, acid catalysis.
