Oxidation of the Styrene Epoxide–Hydroquinone–Copper(II) Chloride Ternary System in a Methanol Solution

The consumption of styrene epoxide (SE) and hydroquinone (HQ) in a ternary system (TrS) (SE–HQ–Cu(II)) in an oxygen atmosphere in a methanol solution is studied. The oxygen uptake by the SE–HQ–CuCl2 Trs is studied manometrically. The expression of velocity in terms of the reagent concentrations V = k[Cu(II)]1[HQ]0[SE]0 and the effective oxidation rate constant k = 1.82 × 105exp(–40 kJ mol–1/RT) s–1 is obtained in the temperature range 308–323 K. The oxidation mechanism of the TrS is discussed.