Autoxidation of N-hydroxyphenylalkylamines: the inhibitory effect of some anions on copper catalysed autoxidation of N-hydroxyphentermine.

The inhibitory effect of certain electrolytes and buffers on the copper catalysed autoxidation of N-hydroxyphentermine (2-hydroxylamino-2-methyl-1-phenylpropane) has been investigated. The presence of ions such as SO4(2-), Cl- or Br- markedly reduced the rate of oxidation. Phosphate and carbonate buffers had a similar effect with halides and phosphate buffers being the most inhibitory. The occurence of 2-methyl-2-nitro-1-phenylpropane and 2-methyl-1-phenylpropene-(1) as secondary oxidation products was also established.