Iridium(III) Catalyzed Oxidation of Benzyl Alcohol by Cerium(IV) Sulphate: A Kinetic and Synthetic Study

Oxidation of benzyl alcohol by cerium(IV) sulphate catalyzed by iridium(III) chloride was studied both from the kinetic and synthetic point of views. In the kinetic study reaction followed direct proportionality with respect to catalyst concentrations while first order kinetics at low concentrations becoming to zero order at higher concentrations of both oxidant and organic substrate was observed. Rate decreases sharply with increasing concentrations of H + , Ce III and Cl ions. Potential of cerium(IV)-iridium(III) system in synthesis was checked by changing the concentrations or conditions of various factors, which affect the yield of benzaldehyde. After a certain point increase in the duration of experiment or the concentration of oxidant and catalyst does not increase the yield and under the experimental conditions it was only the temperature, which may further increase the yield. Product was identified by various means.