Specific features of oxidation of ferrocenylmethanol with hydrogen peroxide in acidic media

Abstract

Two types of transformations (the metal complex protonation and oxidation) have been revealed in the ferrocenylmethanol–Н₂О₂–НХ system (HX = HClO₄, CF₃COOH) by means of electronic spectroscopy. The efficiency of protonation has been determined from the intensity of the FcCH₂⁺ carbocation absorption band (λ_max = 600 nm); it depends on the acid strength and relative concentration as well as the solvent nature. Kinetics of ferrocenylmethanol oxidation in dioxane has been studied in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid. Two alternative reaction mechanisms have been proposed, differing in the coordination type of the reagents.