Studies on the Oxidation of Phenyl Cycloalkanes by tertiary hydroperoxides

Abstract

During the thermal decomposition of cumene hydroperoxide at about 125°C in phenyl cycloalkanes as solvents, the solvents are attacked, preferably at the tertiary CH bonds. Up to 70% (with regard to the decomposed hydroperoxide) of oxidation products of the phenyl cycloalkanes are obtained. The main oxidation products are the corresponding 1‐phenyl cycloalkanols, but relatively large amounts of phenyl alkyl ketones with the same number of carbon atoms are also formed, probably via a further oxidation of the 1‐phenyl cycloalkanols.