Deactivation Reaction in the Hydroxylation of Benzene with Fenton's Reagent

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo00051a048

The purpose of this work was to reveal the identity of the deactivation reaction involved in the Fenton's oxidation of aromatic compounds.The effect of reaction conditions on the yield of phenol in the oxidation of benzene was systematically studied.The maximum yield of phenol (93 percent based on H2O2 added) was obtained at low concentrations of both phenol formed and Fe(II) ion added.The predominant deactivation reaction of hydroxyl radicals in the Fenton's oxidation was found to be the reaction of hydroxyl radical with phenol to give phenoxy radical, followed by the reduction of phenoxy radical with Fe(II) ion to regenerate the phenol molecule.