KINETICS AND MECHANISM OF THE DECOMPOSITION OF CUMENE HYDROPEROXIDE IN THE PRESENCE OF COPPER SELENIDE

It is shown that the decomposition of cumene hydroperoxide in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst - copper selenide - practically follows only the homolytic path, with rupture of the O-O and O-H bonds in the hydroperoxide molecule with the formation of RO. and RO2. radicals; induced chain decomposition of the hydroperoxide also occurs. A reaction mechanism that includes homogeneous and heterogeneous stages of the formation of dimethylphenylcarbinol and a homogeneous stage of the conversion of RO. radicals to acetophenone is proposed and experimentally confirmed. The kinetic parameters of these reactions are evaluated, including the ratio of the rate constants of the elimination of an H atom by RO. radicals from the hydroperoxide and cumene molecules.