N-Hydroxyphthalimide in combination with Cu(II), Co(II) or Mn(II) salts as catalytic systems for the oxidation of isopropyl-aromatic hydrocarbons with oxygen

Catalytic systems consisting of N-hydroxyphthalimide in combination with copper(II), cobalt(II) and manganese(II) acetylacetonate, acetate or chloride were applied to the oxidation of cumene with oxygen. The use of these catalytic systems decreases cumyl hydroperoxide selectivity as a result of the decomposition reaction of hydroperoxide to 2-phenyl-2-propanol and acetophenone. It has been demonstrated that the use of N-hydroxyphthalimide in combination with copper salts at 60 °C results in high alcohol content whereas ketone is the major product at 90 °C. The results can be used to develop a method for alcohol or ketone synthesis from other isopropyl-aromatic hydrocarbons.