An indirect measurement of the absolute rate constant of the self-reaction of tert-butoxy radicals

No reliable rate constant is available for the self-reaction of tert-;butoxy radicals. We have set up a competition between hydrogen abstraction and self-reaction of tert-butoxy radicals in a flash photolysis electron spin resonance study to extract this information. Experimental values of hydrogen abstraction product radical concentrations under various hydrogen donor concentrations were then compared with theoretically calculated values with different values of 2k₄ to obtain the best fit. Hydrogen donors such as cyclopentane, anisole, methyl tert-butyl ether, and methanol were chosen for the study. A value of (1.3 ± 0.5) × 10⁹M^?1 sec^?1 for the rate constant of the self-reaction of tert-butoxy radicals has been determined at 293°K.     

The electronic effects of substituents at the acyl carbon in the gas-phase elimination kinetics of tert-butyl α-substituted acetates

The gas-phase eliminations of several tert-butyl esters, in a static system and in vessels seasoned with allyl bromide, have been studied in the temperature range of 171.5–280.1°C and the pressure range of 23–98 torr. The rate coefficients for the homogeneous unimolecular elimination of these esters are given by the following Arrhenius equations: for tert-butyl pivalate, log k₁(s^?1) = (13.44 ± 0.30) ? (169.1 ± 3.1) kJ · mol^?1 (2.303RT)^?1; for tert-butyl trichloroacetate, log k₁(s^?1) = (12.41 ± 0.08) ? (141.1 ± 0.7) kJ · mol^?1 (2.303RT)^?1; and for tert-butyl cyanoacetate log k₁(s^?1) = (11.31 ± 0.44) ? (137.8 ± 4.1) kJ · mol^?1 (2.303RT)^?1. The data of this work together with those reported in the literature yield a good linear relationship when plotting log k/k₀ vs. σ* values (ρ* = 0.635, correlation coefficient r = 0.972, and intercept = 0.048 at 250°C). The positive ρ* value suggests that the movement of negative charge to the acyl carbon in the transition state is rate determining. The present results along with previous investigations ratify the generalization that electron-withdrawing substituents at the acyl side of ethyl, isopropyl, and tert-butyl esters enhance the elimination rates, while electron-releasing groups tend to reduce them. The negative nature of the acyl carbon and the polarity in the transition state increases slightly from primary to tertiary esters.     

Rates of addition of tert-butyl and pivaloyl radicals to acrylonitrile measured by modulated ESR and μSR spectroscopy

For the rate constant of addition of tert-butyl radicals to acrylonitrile at T = 300 K in solution modulated ESR spectroscopy and muon spin rotation yield 10⁶ M^?1 s^?1 and 2.4 × 10⁶ M^?1 s^?1. The addition of pivaloyl radical to acrylonitrile proceeds with Arrhenius parameters log A/M^?1 s^?1 = 7.7 and E_a = 11.5 kJ/ mol. The results are discussed in terms of polar effects in radical addition reactions.     

Absolute rate constants for the reactions between amino and alkyl radicals at 298 K

The absolute rate constants for the reactions of NH₂ radicals with ethyl, isopropyl, and t-butyl radicals have been measured at 298 K, using a flash photolysis–laser resonance absorption method. Radicals were generated by flashing ammonia in the presence of an olefin. A new measurement of the NH₂ extinction coefficient and oscillator strength at 597.73 nm was performed. The decay curves were simulated by adjusting the rate constants of both the reaction of NH₂ with the alkyl radical and the mutual interactions of alkyl radicals. The results are k(NH₂ + alkyl) = 2.5 (±0.5), 2.0 (±0.4), and 2.5 (±0.5) × 10¹⁰ M^?1·s^?1 for ethyl, isopropyl, and t-butyl radicals, respectively. The best simulations were obtained when taking k(alkyl + alkyl) = 1.2, 0.6, and 0.65 × 10¹⁰M^?1·s^?1 for ethyl, isopropyl, and t-butyl radicals, respectively, in good agreement with literature values.     

Atmospheric chemistry of di-tert-butyl ether: Rates and products of the reactions with chlorine atoms,hydroxyl radicals,and nitrate radicals

The rate constants for the gas-phase reactions of di-tert-butyl ether (DTBE) with chlorine atoms, hydroxyl radicals, and nitrate radicals have been determined in relative rate experiments using FTIR spectroscopy. Values of k_(DTBE+CI) = (1.4 ± 0.2) × 10⁻¹⁰,k_(DTBE+OH) = (3.7 ± 0.7) × 10⁻¹², and k_(DTBE+N03) = (2.8 ± 0.9) × 10⁻¹⁶ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ were obtained. Tert-butyl acetate was identified as the major product of both Cl atom and OH radical initiated oxidation of DTBE in air in the presence of NO_x. The molar tert-butyl acetate yield was 0.85 ± 0.11 in the Cl atom experiments and 0.84 ± 0.11 in OH radical experiments. As part of this work the rate constant for reaction of Cl atoms with tert-butyl acetate at 295 K was determined to be (1.6 ± 0.3) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. The stated errors are two standard deviations (2σ). © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

ESR study of the thermal decomposition of di-tert-butoxy-tert-butyl alumotrioxide formed in the reaction of tri-tert-butoxyaluminum with tert-butyl hydroperoxide

Tri-tert-butoxyaluminum reacts with tert-butyl hydroperoxide to produce di-tert-butoxy-tert-butyl alumotrioxide, which decomposes heterolytically to form singlet dioxygen and homolytically with the O—O bond cleavage. The Bu^tOO^·, (Bu^tO)₂AlOO^·, Bu^tO^·, and (Bu^tO)₂AlO^· radicals were identified by ESR using spin traps. These findings confirm the formation of aluminum-containing trioxide. The above radicals initiate alkylarene oxidation by the tri-tert-butoxyaluminum—tert-butyl hydroperoxide system. The carbon-centered and alkylperoxy radicals originated from the oxidized substrates were identified.     

Reactions of unsymmetrically substituted allyl radicals with methyl radicals

The Hg(6³P₁) photosensitized decompositions of 3-methyl-1-butene, 2-methyl-2-butene, 3,3-dimethyl-1-butene, and 2,3-dimethyl-1-butene have been used to generate 1-methylallyl, 1,2-dimethylallyl, 1,1-dimethylallyl, and 1,1,2-trimethylallyl radicals in the gas phase at 24 ± 1°C. From a study of the relative yields of the CH₃ combination products, the relative reactivities of the reaction centers in each of these unsymmetrically substituted ambident radicals have been determined. The more substituted centers are found to be the less reactive, and this is ascribed primarily to greater steric interaction at these centers during reaction. Measurement of the ratio of trans- to cis-2-pentene formed from the 1-methylallyl radical, combined with published values for this ratio at higher temperatures, enabled the differences in entropy and heat of formation of the trans- and cis-forms of this radical to be calculated as 0.62 ± 0.85 J mol^?1 K^?1 and - 0.63 ± 0.25 kJ mol^?1, respectively, at 298K. Approximate values of the disproportionation/combination ratios for reaction of CH₃ with 1,1-dimethylallyl and 1-methylallyl have been estimated and used to compute rate constants for the recombinations of tert-butyl and isopropyl radicals that are in agreement with recently published data.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the atmospheric oxidation of Ethyl tertiary butyl ether

Ethyl tertiary butyl ether (ETBE) is being proposed as an additive for use in reformulated gasolines. In this study, experiments were performed to examine the kinetics and mechanism of the atmospheric removal of ETBE. The kinetics of the reaction of ETBE with OH radicals were examined by using a relative rate technique with the photolysis of methyl nitrite to generate OH radicals. With n-hexane as the reference compound, a value of (9.73 ± 0.33) × 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 was obtained for the rate constant. The OH rate constant for t-butyl acetate, a product of the oxidation of ETBE, was (4.4 ± 0.4) × 10^?13 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 at 298 K. The primary products and molar yields for the OH reaction with ETBE in the presence of NO_x were t-butyl formate (0.64 ± 0.03), t-butyl acetate (0.13 ± 0.01), ethyl acetate (0.043 ± 0.003), acetaldehyde (0.16 ± 0.01), acetone (0.019 ± 0.002), and formaldehyde (0.53 ± 0.04). Under the described reaction conditions, the formation of t-butyl nitrite was also observed. From these molar yields, approximately 98% of the reacted ETBE could be accounted for by paths leading to these products. Chemical mechanisms to explain the formation of these products are presented.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the liquid-phase oxidation of tert-butyl phenylacetate

The oxidation of tert-butyl phenylacetate in ortho-dichlorobenzene at 140°C occurs with short chains. The primary nonperoxide reaction products (tert-butyl α-hydroxyphenylacetate, tert-butyl α-oxophenylacetate, and benzaldehyde) are formed by the decomposition of a hydroperoxide (tert-butyl α-hydroperoxyphenylacetate) and (or) by the recombination of peroxy radicals with and without chain termination. Benzaldehyde and tert-butyl α-hydroxyphenylacetate undergo radical chain oxidation in a reaction medium to result in benzoic acid and tert-butyl α-oxophenylacetate. Homolytic hydroperoxide decomposition is responsible for process autoacceleration and results in benzaldehyde, which is also formed from hydroperoxide by a nonradical mechanism, probably, via a dioxetane intermediate. Both of the reactions are catalyzed by benzoic acid. Benzoic acid has no effect on hydroperoxide conversion into tert-butyl α-oxophenylacetate, which most likely occurs as a result of hydroperoxide decomposition induced by peroxy radicals. The rate constants of the main steps of the process and kinetic parameters have been calculated by solving an inverse kinetic problem.     

Interactions intramoléculaires. XXVI—Constantes de couplage et hétérogénéités conformationnelles dans une série de R-3 et R-5 cyano-4 cyclohexènes deutériés (R=méthyl ou t-butyl)

For trans-3-R- and 5-R-1-acetoxy-4-cyanocyclohexene-6,6-d₂ the molar fractions of diequatorial conformers are 0.83 (3-methyl), 0.68 (5-methyl), 0.57 (3-tert-butyl) and 0.55–0.69 (5-tert-butyl). For the last two compounds the values of the coupling constants are in agreement with the hypothesis of an ee?aa equilibrium. For the cis isomers, the molar fractions of equatorial alkyl conformers are 0.76 (3-methyl and 5-methyl) and 1.0 (3-tert-butyl and 5-tert-butyl). The cis-1-acetoxy-3-tert-butyl-4-methoxycarbonyl-cyclohexene presents a conformational heterogeneity. The conformational free energy of the methyl group in position 4 has been evaluated as ?0.6 kcal mol^?1 (2.5 kJ mol^?1).     

On the reactivity of diethyl hydroxyl amine toward free radicals

Diethyl hydroxyl amine is an efficient trap for alkyl, alkoxy, and peroxy radicals. The specific rate constant for the reaction of ethyl radicals (gas phase, 25°C), tert-butoxy radicals (benzene solution, 115°C), and poly (peroxystyryl) peroxy radicals (styrene solution, 50°C) were evaluated as 7.2 × 10⁵, 7.7 × 10⁷, and 2.9 × 10⁵ M^?1·sec^?1, respectively. Several possible secondary reactions of the nitroxide radicals are discussed.     

On the accuracy of the hydroperoxide method of determining absolute rate constants for hydrogen atom abstraction by the tert-butylperoxy radical

Measurements of rates of oxygen absorption and steady-state peroxy radical concentrations for the autoxidation of tetralin in the presence of tert-butyl hydroperoxide have shown that the rate constant for reaction of the tert-butylperoxy radical with tetralin at 60°C is approximately 11.0 M^?1 s^?1. This rate constant is about a factor of 4 larger than the value recently reported by Niki, Okayasu, and Kamiya for this reaction. The present work emphasizes that great care should be taken when the hydroperoxide method is used to estimate cross-propagation rate constants for a substrate as reactive as tetralin at a temperature as high as 60°C.     

The free-radical reaction of tri-n-butyltin hydride with disulfides

The kinetics and absolute rate constants for the free-radical chain reaction of tri-n-butyltin hydride with di-t-butyl disulfide have been measured in cyclohexane at 30°. The rate controlling step for chain propagation involves the cleavage of the disulfide bond by an attacking tributyltin radical. The rate constant for this bimolecular homolytic substitution at sulfur is ～8 × 10⁴ Mole^?1 sec^?1. Chain termination involves the self-reaction of two tributyltin radicals. The rate constants for attack of tributyltin radicals on some other disulfides and on elemental sulfur have also been measured. The results are compared with literature data for homolytic substitutions on these compounds by a variety of radicals which have their unpaired electron centered on carbon.     

Studies on some radical transfer reactions by entrapping the radicals as polymer end groups. I. Reaction of hydroxyl radicals with amines

The reaction of OH radicals with a number of amines has been studied by entrapping the resultant radicals as polymer end groups which have been detected and estimated by the sensitive dye partition technique. Expressions have been developed relating the average amounts of end groups per polymer molecule to the rate constant of the radical transfer reaction, the rate constants determined for reaction with n-butyl, n-hexyl, and n-octyl amine being 1.00 × 10¹⁰, 1.31 × 10¹⁰, and 1.46 × 10¹⁰ mol^?1 L s^?1, respectively, at 25°C. The order of reactivity for amines of different classes has been found to be as primary < secondary > tertiary, the rate constants for reaction with n-butyl, dibutyl, and tributyl amine being 1.00 × 10¹⁰, 1.81 × 10¹⁰, and 1.67 × 10¹⁰ mol^?1 L s^?1, respectively, at 25°C. The change in the reactivity of the amine with chain length and amine class has been explained by activation and deactivation of the CH₂ group from which H abstraction by OH radicals occurs, respectively, by the alkyl group and by the protonated amino nitrogen under the acidic condition of the medium. Between pH 1.00 and 2.17, the rate of the reaction with n-butyl amine remains practically unchanged, but from pH 2.20 to 2.72 the rate constant increases with increasing pH, indicating that deprotonation of the positively charged nitrogen starts at about pH 2.20. The method is simple and accurate and can be applied to detect and estimate very reactive radicals.     

Radical reactions in the coordination field of transition metals. VII—H-transfer between phenolic and aryl-aminic H-donors and their radicals

An ESR method for studying the mechanism of H-transfer reactions between H-donors of different reactivity (A₁H, A₂H…) and their free radicals (A₁; A₂^.…) in non-polar solvents at ambient temperature is presented. The new technique is based on a pulsed initiation of various secondary phenoxy or nitroxy radicals in binary mixtures of hindered phenols, unhindered phenols, partially hindered thiobisphenols and diphenylamine, employing a high concentration of free RO₂^. and coordinated (Co^III)RO₂^. tert-butyl peroxy radicals generated in the redox-reaction of Co(acac)₂ with tert-butyl hydroperoxide. The consecutive H-transfer reactions proceed to equilibrium until the most stable radicals are formed. In this way criteria are obtained for ranking the compared free and coordinated phenoxy radicals according to their relative stabilities. The secondarily generated phenoxy radicals from unhindered phenols after coordination to Co^III are stabilized and cannot take part in further H-transfer reactions.     

Role of chain transfer in heterogeneous polymerization of ethylene

The role of chain transfer was studied for the radiation-induced polymerization of ethylene in precipitating media, namely n-butyl alcohol, tert-butyl alcohol and their mixtures. The affinities of those solvents for polyethylene are similar, but the chain-transfer coefficient of n-butyl alcohol is larger than that of tert-butyl alcohol. The polymerizations were carried out in a reactor of 100 ml under a pressure of 300 kg/cm², at 60°C, dose rate of 3.07 × 10⁴–1.75 × 10⁵ rad/hr in the presence of 50 ml of solvents. The polymerization in tert-butyl alcohol shows the kinetic behavior characteristic of a heterogeneous polymerization, such as rate acceleration, high dose rate dependence of polymerization rate, and low dose rate dependence of polymer molecular weight, whereas the polymerization in n-butyl alcohol does not exhibit such behavior and gives polymer having a molecular weight much lower than that of polymer obtained in tert-butyl alcohol. The polymer formed in tert-butyl alcohol exhibits a bimodal molecular weight distribution measured by gel permeation chromatography. In mixed tert-butyl alcohol and n-butyl alcohol solvent, with increasing fraction of n-butyl alcohol, the two peaks not only shift to lower molecular weight but the higher molecular weight peak becomes relatively small. Eventually, the polymer formed in n-butyl alcohol exhibits a unimodal distribution. Those results are well explained on the basis of the proposed scheme for heterogeneous polymerization.     

Rate constants for the bimolecular self-reaction of cyano-substituted alkyl radicals in solution

Cyano-substituted methyl radicals (cyanomethyl–hand 2-cyano-2-propyl radicals) and syn-and anti-1-cyano-allyl radicals were generated, and their recombination kinetics in solution were investigated between ?50 and +50°C by time-resolved electron-spin-resonance spectroscopy. The comparison of the activation energies for recombination with the activation energies of the solution viscosities proves that the dimerizations of the radicals are diffusion controlled with rate constants on the order of 10⁸–10⁹M^?1·s^?1. In the case of cyanomethyl radicals an additional pseudo-first-order process, hydrogen abstraction, was detected and analyzed kinetically. Product analyses support the kinetic measurements.     

Kinetics of the gamma-radiation-induced polymerization of ethylene in tert-butyl alcohol

The gamma-radiation-induced polymerization of ethylene in the presence of 13–30 ml of tert-butyl alcohol was carried out under a pressure of 120–400 kg/cm² at a dose rate of 1 × 10³ to 2.5 × 10⁴ rad/hr at 30°C with a 100 ml reactor. The polymerization rate and the molecular weight of the polymer increased with reaction time and pressure and decreased with amount of tert-butyl alcohol. The polymer yield increased almost proportionally with the dose rate, while the molecular weight was almost independent of it. These results were graphically evaluated, and the rate constants of initiation, propagation, and termination for various conditions were determined. No transfer was observed. On the basis of these results the role of tert-butyl alcohol in the polymerization is discussed.     

Free-radical chain decomposition of ozone initiated by di(tert-butyl) trioxide

Di(tert-butyl) trioxide in a solution of CFCl₃ (Freon-11) at –23 °C exists in equilibrium with the tert-butoxyl and tert-butylperoxyl radicals virtually without irreversible decomposition. The above radicals decompose ozone to dioxygen with a high effective rate constant, which is proprotional to the square root of the Bu^tOOOBu^t concentration. The kinetic scheme describing the found relationships was proposed.     

Electron transfer from α-aminoalkyl radicals to methyl viologen

The reactions of tert-butoxyl radicals with amines, leading to the formation of α-aminoalkyl radicals, and the reactions of these with the electron acceptor methyl viologen have been examined using laser flash photolysis techniques. For example, the radicals CH₃?HNEt₂ and HOCH₂?H N(CH₂CH₂OH)₂ react with methyl viologen with rate constants equal to (1.3 ± 0.1) × 10⁹ and (2.1 ± 0.4) × 10⁹M^?1 · s^?1, respectively, in wet acetonitrile at 300 K.