The Oxidation of Tetrahydrofuran by Ruthenium Tetroxide

The kinetics of the oxidation of tetrahydrofuran by ruthenium tetroxide in aqueous perchloric acid solutions have been investigated. The rate of reaction is found to be directly dependent on the concentrations of oxidant and reductant, but inversely dependent on the acidity of the medium. A mechanism involving hydride abstraction in the rate determining step was found to be consistent with the evidence obtained from isotopic labeling and an analysis of the activation parameters (ΔH≠ = 14.0 kcal/mol, ΔS≠ = −18.4 e.u.) of the reaction. This conclusion is further substantiated by noting the similarity between the reactions of ruthenium tetroxide with alcohols and ethers.