ROLE OF RESIN-COPPER(II) COMPLEXES CONTAINING ETHANOLAMINES IN HYDROGEN-PEROXIDE DECOMPOSITION

Dowex-50W resins in the form of mono (mea)-, di (dea)-and tri-ethanolamine (tea)-Cu(II) complexes have been used as potentially active catalysts for H2O2 decomposition in an aqueous medium. The rate constant (per g of dry resin) was evaluated with resins containing 2, 8 and 12% divinylbenzene (DVB) crosslinkage, over the temperature range 25-40-degrees-C. The reaction was first order with respect to [H2O2] with mea for 8 and 12% DVB (50-100 mesh), second order with mea for 2% DVB (50-100 and 200-400 mesh) and third order with dea and tea for 8% DVB (50-100 mesh). The value of the rate constant (per g of dry resin) of the mea-Cu(II)/Co(II) binary system was compared with that of the mea-Cu(II)/Ni(II) binary system. With a given degree of resin crosslinkage the activation energy increased in the sequence mea < dea < tea, which is the inverse sequence of the basic strength of the free amines. The activation parameters were calculated. Probable mechanisms were proposed for the reaction with the three ethanolamines.