Copper Benzoate Formed in the Reaction of Benzoic Anhydride with Excess Cupric Oxide

Abstract

The reactions of benzoic anhydride with excess cupric oxide are carried out in cyclohexane as an inert solvent at several temperatures for 1 hour.
The conversion of benzoic anhydride into a copper benzoate, which is different from the we11-known copper(I)or(II)benzoates, was determined by three methods(solvent extraction, elementary analyses and hydrolysis) which showed the consistent results (20.9 mol %o, 27.3 mol % and 23, 4 mol% respectively at 240eC, 1 hr).An increase in conversion was observed at temperatures higher than 240eC. The X-ray diffraction diagram of the product containing the above copper salt differed from those of cupric oxide, cuprous benzoate and cupric benzoate.