Selective Oxidation of Ethylbenzene by Molecular Oxygen: Effect of Macrocyclic 18-Crown-6 Polyether Additives on Catalysis by Bicyclic Nickel Complexes

The catalytic activity of the two-component catalytic system based on nickel bis(enaminoacetonate) (enamac) and 18-crown-6 (18C6) macrocyclic polyether is studied in ethylbenzene oxidation by molecular oxygen. The {Ni(enamac)₂ + 18-crown-6} system is a more active catalyst of ethylbenzene oxidation into -phenylethyl hydroperoxide compared to Ni(enamac)₂ and the {Ni(acac)₂ + 18-crown-6} system. The formation of Ni(enamac)₂–18-crown-6 complex is confirmed both kinetically and spectroscopically. It is suggested that a rise in the oxidation selectivity is due to Ni(enamac)₂ transformation activated by 18-crown-6. The order of oxidation product formation at different oxidation stages is determined. The activity of catalysts in the elementary steps of the chain process is discussed.