Decomposing peroxide contaminant in organic solvent e.g ether - by dissolving cuprous complex pref. generated in soln.

摘要

Peroxide destruction in organic solvents, e.g. ethers, is achieved by dissolving a cuprous complex in the peroxide-contg. solvent. The cuprous complex can be generated in soln. by (a) the activity of an ionic chloride- soluble in solvent, on CuCl, or by (b) the activity of metallic Cu on a soln. of an ionic chloride and CuCl2. Pref. the components required for the cuprous complex formation are first combined to a solid and necessary proportions are added to the peroxide-contg. solvent. Peroxide destruction obviates the hazards of explosions and peroxide-catalysed side-reactions. Peroxide destruction takes place in homogeneous phase and is safe. No water is introduced into the solvent treated. The process can be applied to all ethers and also to other organic solvents.