The catalytic oxidation of 2-isopropylnaphthalene with oxygen was studied. The system composed of copper(II), cobalt(II) or manganese(II) chloride with tetrabutylammonium bromide was used as catalysts. Depending on the metal ion as well as process conditions, different compositions of products were obtained. The mixture of 2-(2-naphthyl)-2-propanol, 2-acetylnaphthalene, bis(1-methyl-1-(2-naphthyl)ethyl) peroxide as well as a small amount of 1-methyl-1-(2-naphthyl)ethyl hydroperoxide was obtained in the presence of copper(II) chloride and tetrabutylammonium bromide. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.