Kinetics and mechanism of the furan peroxide formation in the reaction of furfural with hydrogen peroxide in the presence or absence of sodium molybdate

The kinetics of the initial stage of the furfural reaction with hydrogen peroxide was studied in water in the presence of Na₂MoO₄ and in n-butanol without a catalyst. The mechanisms of furfural conversion in the Na₂MoO₄-H₂O₂ system and oxidation by hydrogen peroxide in the absence of sodium molybdate are discussed. Based on kinetic studies, the mechanism of furan peroxide formation is proposed. Proceedings of X International Conference on Chemistry of Organic and Organoelement Peroxides (Moscow, June 16–18, 1998).