Electrochemical activation of the catalytic effect of cobalt in autoxidation of toluene in acetic acid

Electrochemical techniques were used to oxidize toluene in acetic acid containing cobalt(ii) acetate in the absence and presence of molecular oxygen. The conditions of Co(iii) generation were first studied with respect to the anodic passivation. Without oxygen, the indirect oxidation of toluene gave, by a faradaic process, mainly benzyl acetate which was then oxidized to benzoic acid, while under aerobic conditions benzoic acid was the main product, formed via the benzaldehyde by a nonfaradaic process. The initial electrochemical generation of Co(iii) suppressed the induction period observed in autoxidation. Under electrolysis conditions the autoxidation process was accelerated.