Reactivity of methyltrioxorhenium in heterocyclic decomposition of cumyl hydroperoxide

The decomposition of cumyl hydroperoxide in the presence of MeReO3 has been studied, the ratio between heterolytic and homolytic directions of the reaction being found. It has been ascertained that hydroperoxide transforms mainly according to the heterolytic mechanism with selective formation of phenol and acetone. The process of formation of the catalyst active forms in the course of reaction with cumyl hydroperoxide has been studied by kinetic methods. It is shown that MeReO3 and its modified forms are practically inactive in radical particles generation. A stage-by-stage kinetic scheme of the process is suggested, rate constants of separate stages of the reaction have been estimated. 17 refs., 2 figs., 2 tabs