Abstract: In an alkali-methanol solution, both 1- and 2-naphthol can be converted into 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (HNQ) with selectivity more than 95% by H₂O₂ over metalloporphyrin catalyst.The UV-Vis spectra indicate that a high valence oxygen-ferreous porphyrin intermediate has been produced by addition of an aqueous solution of H₂O₂ into the catalytic system.This intermediate formation rate is influenced by the concentrations of low valence ferrous porphyrin, H₂O₂, and NaOH existing in the system.With the aid of the UVVis spectrum varieties, the rate equations and formation rate constants of the intermediate at different temperatures can be determined by changing the original concentration of each reactant.The formation activation energy of this intermediate was also determined by changing temperature.

Key words: Ferrous porphyrin catalyst, Intermediate, Kinetics