THERMODYNAMICS OF RU(III)-EDTA CATALYZED OXIDATION OF SATURATED ORGANIC-COMPOUNDS BY MOLECULAR-OXYGEN

The thermodynamics of Ru(III)-EDTA catalyzed oxidation of cyclohexane to cyclohexanol and of cyclohexanol to cyclohexanone by molecular oxygen in acidic medium has been investigated in the temperature range 288-318 K, mu equals 0. 1 M KNO//3 in a 1:1 water: 1,4-dioxane mixture (v/v). The dependence of the rate of oxidation on factors such as temperature (288-318 K), catalyst, substrates, molecular oxygen concentrations and pH was studied. The mechanisms proposed on the basis of the kinetic data are discussed in terms of thermodynamic stability and reactivity. The activation energy for the oxidation of cyclohexane is 7. 3 kcal mol** minus **1 higher than that of cyclohexanol. Thermodynamic factors are more favourable for the oxidation of cyclohexanol, which proceeds by a rate higher than that of cyclohexane.