| Abstract: | The mechanism of the reaction of tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) with cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) and iron ions was investigated. It was found that (1) TEPA did not reduce Fe(III); (2) TEPA was consumed by this reaction; (3) both Fe(II) and Fe(III) were effective for this reaction. It was shown that though the O? O bond of a hydroperoxide could be cleaved only at elevated temperatures, it could be easily cleaved by the reaction with the iron–TEPA complex. The function of this iron–TEPA complex is discussed. |
