The Comparative Catalytic Activities of Tungstate and Molybdate Ions on Oxygen Transfer Reactions Used in Production of Some Petrochemicals

Abstract

The comparative catalytic activities and kinetics of formation of glycerine from oxidation of allyl alcohol by hydrogen peroxide in the presence of sodium tungstate and sodium molybdate as catalyst have been studied. The reaction is zero order with respect to hydrogen peroxide concentration and the reaction is first order with respect to allyl alcohol and catalyst (sodium tungstate or sodium molybdate) concentrations. Tungstate catalyzed formation of glycerine from allyl alcohol is faster than that of molybdate catalyzed. A complex rate equation describing the dependence of rate on allyl alcohol, catalyst and hydrogen peroxide has been proposed.

Keywords: Glycerine, tungstate, molybdate ions, first order rate