Oxygen absorption by the ternary system styrene oxide—copper(II) chloride—α-naphtol in alcoholic media

The fast absorption of molecular oxygen by a system including styrene oxide, copper(II) chloride, and α-naphthol (strong inhibitor of oxidation) was found and studied by the volumetric method. A low value of the activation energy of oxidation and a complicated concentration dependence of the reaction rate indicate that the oxidation proceeds via the formation of a ternary system, possibly, via a complex of three reactants. The thermolabile activity of the copper catalyst of oxidation was found for the oxidation of this system in a 85 vol.% Bu t OH + + 15 vol.% H 2 O solution.