THE THERMAL DECOMPOSITION OF PERACETIC ACID IN AROMATIC SOLVENTS

Abstract

The thermal decomposition of peracetic acid in toluene, benzene, and p-xylene was studied over the temperature range 75–95°C. The main products of decomposition were found to be CH 4 , CO 2 , CH 3 COOH; small amounts of methanol, phenols, and polymeric compounds were also detected.The rate of the overall decomposition was first order with respect to peracetic acid, and the results could be explained by postulating the participation of the two simultaneous reactions:[Formula: see text] [Formula: see text]The rate constant of reaction (1) was independent of the solvent, whereas k 2 was dependent on the solvent. The ratio k 2 /k 1 was about 10.