Autoxidation of Isobutyraldehyde

The liquid phase autoxidation of isobutyraldehyde to peroxyisobutyric acid was investigated with ozone as an initiator. The selectivity of the peroxyacid increases with decrease in the amount of aldehyde converted per unit volume of reacting fluid, increase in the ozone feed rate, and decrease in temperature. A few percent of water in solvents increases the selectivity, although too much water brings about a reverse effect. Isopropyl alcohol, acetone, isopropyl formate, propane, propylene, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide are observed as by-products besides isobutyric acid. Purified peroxyisobutyric acid (97.2 wt%) was obtained by fractionally distilling the autoxidation product and some of its physical properties were determined. The utility of the peroxyacid as an epoxidizing agent is described.