TI(III) oxidation of alkenes and alkynes and Ru(III) catalysis in the oxidation of alkenes: A kinetic and mechanistic study

The oxidation of trans-stilbene, phenylacetylene, and diphenylacetylene by Tl(OAc)₃ in aqueous acetic acid medium in the presence of HClO₄ follows the rate law in H⁺] of 0.1–1.0M, the H⁺] dependence below 0.1M being marginal. The reactions are strongly dielectric dependent. The order of reactivity among the substrates is styrene > phenylacetylene and trans-stilbene > diphenylacetylene. A mechanism involving the oxythallation adduct by the Tl⁺(OAc)₂ species has been discussed. The use of Ru(III) as a homogeneous catalyst brings a change in the kinetic orders for trans-stilbene, the rate law being The formation constants K for the Ru(III)–alkene π complex at 40, 50, and 60°C are 90.14M^?1, 105.2M^?1, and 127.7M^?1, respectively. Interestingly the oxidation of phenylacetylene and diphenylacetylene does not undergo catalysis by Ru(III). The mechanism involving the metal–arene π complex is discussed.