Prospects for the use of Zn, Cd and Hg 2-ethylhexanoates as catalysts for cumene oxidation

The effect of Zn(EH)2, Cd(EH)2 and Hg(EH)2 (EH is 2-ethylhexanoate) on cumene oxidation has been established. The use of these catalysts will make it possible to solve a number of tasks that are relevant for cumene oxidation running under industrial conditions, namely: 1) the task of reducing the oxidation time to achieve the required cumene conversion; 2) the task of increasing cumene conversion regardless of the stage of oxidation compared to non-catalytic oxidation (this will reduce the consumption of the recycle stream in the industrial process); 3) the task of accelerating cumene oxidation even in the absence of an initiator at the initial moment of time; 4) the task of maintaining the selectivity of the process even in the late stages of oxidation at a relatively low concentration of the catalyst. The most appropriate catalyst for industrial use is Cd(EH)2 because ROOH·Cd(EH)2 intermediate adduct decomposes most rapidly into free radicals. [Display omitted] •Effect of Zn, Cd, Hg 2-ethylhexanoates on cumene oxidation has been established.•Accumulation rate of cumene hydroperoxide depends on ROOH·Cat concentration.•The concentrations of RO• and ROO• increases during ROOH·Cat decomposition.•Most appropriate catalyst for industrial use is Cd 2-ethylhexanoate.