PATHS AND MECHANISM FOR THE OXIDATION OF ALKANES, ALKENES, AND ARENES BY PEROXYNITROUS ACID

The bell-shaped relations between the rate constants for the oxidation of hydrocarbons by peroxynitrous acid (HOONO) and the ratio of the volumes of the aqueous and gas phases in the reactor are explained quantitatively on the assumption that the HOONO and the substrate are distributed between the gas and the solution and that OH radicals are formed in the two phases and interact with the hydrocarbon. The distribution coefficient of theHOONObetween the gas and aqueous phases is determined [a = (0.4-2)10.6].