Experimental and theoretical studies on 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium bromine ionic liquids-promoted conversion of aerobic oxidation of cumene

Abstract

We demonstrated that [Bmim]Br can act as an efficient catalyst exhibiting excellent selectivity in the aerobic oxidation of cumene by decreasing the amount of ILs. The optimal CHP selectivity of 95.4% with 23.6% conversion was obtained from cumene catalyzed by [Bmim]Br at optimal conditions. The kinetic study showed that the reaction follows 1.2-order kinetics. The mechanism study indicated that [Bmim]Br could accelerate the initiation step, transforming the cumene to cumyl radical(R•). The positive effect of hydrogen of imidazolium on the reaction has been observed in the aerobic oxidation of the cumene.