Oxidation of Some Aliphatic Aldehydes in a Liquid-Liquid Interfacial System

Abstract In the present study the oxidation by chromic acid of some long-chain aliphatic aldehydes is investigated in a liquid-liquid interfacial system. For comparison the same oxidation was performed with the aldehydes dispersed in water. Higher yields were obtained in interfacial experiments as compared to the ones obtained when the aldehydes were dispersed in water. These results are rationalized by the fact that in the interfacial experiments reactants and products are exposed for short periods of time to the oxidative action of chromic acid, being in a way protected in the organic phase. Concerning the crucial problem of the reaction site i.e. where actually the oxidation occurs in interfacial experiments, it seems, based on kinetics and activation parameter determination as well as by modification of the interface with surfactants, that the oxidation occurs at the liquid-liquid interface and to a lesser extent in the aqueous phase. However, futher work is under way for the complete elucidation of t...