Control of hydrocarbon salt formation

As the cation becomes progressively more reluctant to be reduced than [53 ], covalent bond formation is observed instead of electron transfer. Further stabilization of the cation causes formation of an ionic bond, i.e. salt formation. Thus, the course of the reaction is controlled by the electron affinity of the carbocation. However, the change from single-electron transfer to salt formation is not straightforward. As has been discussed in previous sections, steric effects are another important factor in controlling the formation of hydrocarbon salts. The significant difference in the reduction potential at which a covalent bond is switched to an ionic one -around -0.8 V for tropylium ion series and —1.6 V in the case of l-aryl-2,3-dicyclopropylcyclopropenylium ion series - may be attributed to steric factors. 

The selectivity of palladium and gold for alkene oxidation to aldehydes 28,29,170) was attributed initially to adsorption strength. However, electrooxidation in the presence of palladium ions indicates possible homogeneous alkene insertion, similar to the Wacker process 304). Homogeneous reaction is also involved in redox oxidations of hydrocarbons. In this case, the nature of the metal ions is expected to control selectivity. Indeed, toluene yields 20% benzaldehyde in electrolytes containing Ce salts, while oxidation proceeds to benzoic acid with Cr redox catalysts 311). In addition, the concentration of redox catalysts appears to affect yields in nonelectrochemical oxidation of ethylene large amounts of palladium chloride promote butene formation at the expense of acetaldehyde 312). Finally, the role of the electrolyte and solvent should not be ignored. For instance, electrooxidation of ethylene on carbon, in aqueous solution of acetic acid yields acetaldehyde 313) in the... 

Characteristic features of vanadium containing heteropoly catalysts for the selective oxidation of hydrocarbons have been described. MAA yield ftom isobutyric acid was successfully enhanced by the stabilization of the vanadium-substituted heteropolyanions by forming cesium salts. As for lower alkane oxidation by using vanadium containing heteropoly catalysts, it was found that the surface of (V0)2P207 was reversibly oxidized to the Xi (8) phase under the reaction conditions of n-butane oxidation. The catalytic properties of cesium salts of 12-heteropolyacids were controlled by the substitution with vanadium, the Cs salt formation, and the addition of transition metal ions. By this way, the yield of MAA from isobutane reached 9.0%. Furthermore, vanadium-substituted 12-molybdates in solution showed 93% conversion on H2O2 basis in hydroxylation of benzene to phenol with 100% selectivity on benzene basis. 

The direct oxidation of benzene to phenol is usually affected by a poor selectivity due to the lack of kinetic control. Indeed, phenol is more reactive towards oxidation than benzene itself and consecutive reactions occur, with substantial formation of overoxidized products like catechol, hydroquinone, benzoquinones and tars. This is the usual output of the oxidation of aromatic hydrocarbons by the classical Fenton system, a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and an iron(II) salt, usually ferrous sulfate, most often used in stoichiometric amounts [8]. 

Because of the necessity for using mixtures dilute in acetylene to avoid decomposition as well as to control the temperature of the reactions, it is possible to use gases containing rather low concentrations of acetylene instead of the pure hydrocarbon. It is claimed that passage of such gases with steam over catalyst masses containing boric or phosphoric acids or the copper, nickel, or iron salts of these acids at temperatures of 200° to 300° C. results in the formation of acetaldehyde.120... 

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