Sciencemadness Discussion Board

peracetic acid + toluene incompatibility?

EmmisonJ - 29-6-2009 at 04:23

there are a few papers out there that use peroxy acids for oxidation with toluene as the solvent but i am unable to pull up the articles (no login/access) to read the details. so basically i'm just wondering if there is any incompatibility/reactivity between peracetic acid and toluene?

EmmisonJ - 7-7-2009 at 06:46

no replies. i haven't found any information stating any reactivity between them, however peracetic acid being an oxidizer... i will not be the one to blindly do an uneducated experiment so this question will be abandoned.

perhaps in a couple more years of learning chemistry i can make assumptions such as this, till then, oh well :)

Sedit - 7-7-2009 at 06:56

I may be the one to blindly do the experiment as I have woundered about this myself:P.
Theres always the option of doing a test tube reaction with a few ml and testing for the presences of Benzaldahyde and/or Benzoic acid. I would think that many oxidation reactions would favor the oxidation of the substrate over toluene oxidation.

[Edited on 7-7-2009 by Sedit]

EmmisonJ - 7-7-2009 at 12:50

if you get around to it, i'd be interested to hear how it went. i was going to give it a shot last week and apply some heat but decided it might not be wise. however you are worlds wiser on the chemistry tip than i am for sure, be safe bro

Sedit - 7-7-2009 at 13:47

Quote:
however you are worlds wiser on the chemistry tip than i am for sure, be safe bro

Thanks for the compliment but no, tiny bit wiser at best Emmison.

Come to think of it the wise man is the one that decides against mixing an oxidiser and a flammable substance and not being 100% sure of the outcome ;) Im just a mad scientist with a homemade chemistry set.

Arrhenius - 22-7-2009 at 23:26

The only incompatibility I can think of is that toluene and water are not miscible. Peracetic acid is typically prepared by the action of hydrogen peroxide (35% aqueous or so) on glacial acetic acid. Add toluene and I suspect you'll get two layers. Glacial acetic acid is quite a good solvent, and usually serves as the reaction solvent as well. As far as peracetic being able to oxidize toluene, I seriously doubt this would happen at any appreciable rate. Heating peroxides of any form is not advisable.

querjek - 23-7-2009 at 09:01

Would a peracid react with a phase transfer catalyst?

Klute - 23-7-2009 at 20:03

The peracid molecule will be propelled in the organic layer. Appart from that, no reaction.