Kinetics and mechanism of benzyl <Emphasis Type="Italic">para</Emphasis>-chlorophenyl ketone oxidation

The oxidation of benzyl para-chlorophenyl ketone in chlorobenzene at 100°C occurs through the formation of short chains. Non-peroxide reaction products (1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-phenyl-1-ethanone, para-chlorobenzyl, benzaldehyde, and para-chlorobenzoic acid) are formed not only by the transformation of hydroperoxide (1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-phenyl-1-ethanone) but also (or solely) through the recombination of α-ketoperoxyl radicals with or without chain termination. α-Hydroperoxide decomposes predominantly through a heterolytic route to form para-chlorobenzoic acid and benzaldehyde. Benzaldehyde and 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-phenyl-1-ethanone undergo radical chain oxidation in the reaction medium to form benzoic acid (benzaldehyde), para-chlorobenzyl, and benzoic and para-chlorobenzoic acids (1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-phenyl-1-ethanone). The homolytic decomposition of α-hydroperoxy ketone and α-hydroxy-α-hydroperoxy ketone causes the self-acceleration of the process and affords 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-hydroxy-2-phenyl-1-ethanone or, to a lesser extent, benzaldehyde and para-chlorobenzoic acid (α-hydroperoxy ketone). para-Chlorobenzoic acid substantially accelerates the heterolytic decomposition of α-hydroxy-α-hydroperoxy ketone and the oxidation of benzyl para-chlorophenyl ketone with peroxy acids to ester according to the Baeyer-Villiger mechanism. The rate constants of the main steps of the process and kinetic parameters are calculated by solving the inverse kinetic problem.     

Oxidation of β-dicarbonyl compounds with tert-butyl hydroperoxide in the presence of vanadyl acetylacetonate

Oxidation of β-dicarbonyl compounds with tert-butyl hydroperoxide in the presence of vanadyl acetylacetonate (benzene, 20°C) involves the activated methylene group with intermediate formation of trioxo derivatives and is accompanied by decomposition of carbon skeleton. The oxidation products are carbon dioxide, carboxylic acids, and tert-butyl and peroxy esters derived from the latter.     

Di(tert-butylperoxy)triphenylbismuth and the triphenylbismuth—tert-butyl hydroperoxide system as efficient oxidants of alcohols

Di(tert-butylperoxy)triphenylbismuth and the triphenylbismuth—tert-butyl hydroperoxide system react with aliphatic alcohols and cyclohexanol to give carbonyl compounds in high yields. The oxidation occurs as the radical dehydrogenation of alcohols; Bi derivatives serve as the sources of free radicals.     

Reaction of zirconium alkoxides with tert-butyl hydroperoxide. Oxidative ability of the Zr(OBu-t)4-t-BuOOH system

Oxidation of the isopropoxy group in the Zr(i-PrO)₄·i-PrOH complex involves both direct reaction with tert-butyl hydroperoxide and intermediate formation of zirconium peroxy compound. Zirconium tetra-tert-butoxide reacts with tert-bytyl hydroperoxide to form metal-containing peroxide and trioxide. Decomposition of the latter leads to oxygen evolution and is accompanied by radical formation. The alkoxyl and peroxyl radicals formed were identified by ESR spectroscopy. The nature of the oxidant (oxygen, zirconium-containing peroxide and-trioxide) in the Zr(OBu-t)₄-t-BuOOH system is determined by the structure of the substrate molecule.     

Binuclear iron complexes with acyclic Schiff bases based on 4-tert-butyl-2,6-diformylphenol: synthesis,properties, and use in catalytic partial oxidation of isobutane

New binuclear iron complexes with acyclic Schiff bases based on 4-tert-butyl-2,6-diformylphenol and amino acids methionine and histidine were synthesized. The composition and inferred structure of the complexes were studied by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and electrochemical methods. The synthesized complexes were studied in catalytic reactions of partial oxidation of isobutane to tert-butyl alcohol and decomposition of tert-butyl hydroperoxide. The activity and selectivity of the complex depend on the nature of the bridging group between two iron ions and are independent of the amino acid environment.     

Generation of N-tert-butyl-α-phenylnitrone radical adducts in iron breakdown of tert-butyl-hydroperoxide

ESR spectroscopy coupled to the spin trapping technique was used to evaluate the generation of radical species arising from the ferrous ion induced decomposition of tert-butyl hydroperoxide (’BuOOH) in methylene chloride. We report here that N-tert-butyl-α-phenylinitrone (PBN) can trap peroxyl radicals generated in the ferrous ion induced breakdown of high concentration of ’BuOOH (IM) at room temperature, the radical adduct being stable under the light. The peroxyl radical formation was demonstrated by direct ESR measurements at 77K. In contrast, alkoxyl and methyl radicals were trapped only in the presence of low hydroperoxide concentration (ImM). In order to measure the hyperfine splitting constants (hfsc) of the PBN-methyl adduct spectra were obtained in the presence of diphenylamine (DPA) or 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol (BHT), which quenched the alkoxyl radical. For this latter radical, the hfsc were calculated by computer simulation. A mechanism for a direct interaction between DPA and the alkoxyl radical is presented. DPA quenched the peroxyl radical in the reaction of high hydroperoxide concentrations, with the concomitant generation of a DPA nitrogen-based radical.     

Reaction of tert-butyl hypochlorite with carbonium ion from styrene epoxide in an acidic alcoholic solution

The kinetic regularities of the change in the concentration of tert-butyl hypochlorite in the presence of the binary system (BS) styrene epoxide??p-toluenesulfonic acid in a tert-butanol solution were studied using iodometry and HPLC and compared with the data obtained earlier for hydroperoxide decomposition. The expressions for the rates of transformation of Bu^tOCl, epoxide, and ROOH in the BS through the reactant concentrations are of the same type (the first order for the acid and the zero order for epoxide, Bu^tOCl, and ROOH) and indicate that the reactions are related to epoxide heterolysis. Dioxygen ceases ROOH decomposition in the BS but exerts no effect on the decrease in the concentration of Bu^tOCl, which efficiently inhibits the O₂ uptake in the BS and almost an order of magnitude retards the accumulation of benzaldehyde (the product of styrene epoxide oxidation) with a low (up to 15%) decrease in the heterolysis rate. The inhibition effect is due to the heterolytic interaction of Bu^tOCl with the carbocation formed by the cleavage of the three-membered ring of protonated styrene epoxide. The introduction of Bu^tOCl in the BS decreases the stationary concentration of the carbocation and, as a consequence, the stationary concentration of phenylcarbene responsible for O₂ uptake.     

Nontransition metal–crown ether complexes as hydroperoxide decomposition catalysts

The decomposition of tert-butyl hydroperoxide in a chlorobenzene medium in the presence of complexes of dibenzo-18-crown-6 with calcium, strontium, and barium chlorides has been studied. It has been found and kinetically proven that the decomposition of tert-butyl hydroperoxide is preceded by the formation of an intermediate hydroperoxide–catalyst complex. Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of the complex formation have been determined.     

New synthesis of tert-butyl peroxycarboxylates

tert-Butyl peroxyacetate, tert-butyl peroxybutyrate, tert-butyl phenylperoxyacetate, and tert-butyl peroxyundecanoate were obtained in nearly quantitative yields by the esterification of the corresponding carboxylic acids with tert-butyl hydroperoxide in the presence of trifluoroacetic anhydride and pyridine in nonaqueous medium at 0–5°C. No tert-butyl peroxytrifluoroacetate was formed as a by-product during the process. A possible reaction mechanism is discussed.     

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.     

Liquid-phase oxidation of sulfides by an aluminum (and titanium) <Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-butoxide—<Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-butyl hydroperoxide system

A system aluminum (and titanium) tert-butoxide—tert-butyl hydroperoxide (1 : 2) under mild conditions (20 °C, 1 h) oxidizes aliphatic and alkylaromatic sulfides and diphenyl sulfide to the corresponding sulfones in yields close to 100%. The oxidation is induced by electron-excited dioxygen formed upon thermal decomposition of intermediate metal-containing peroxy trioxides (ozonides). The latter are formed as a result of the reversible reaction of aluminum or titanium tert-butoxides with tert-butyl hydroperoxide followed by the interaction of di-tert-butoxy-tert-butylperoxyaluminum and tri-tert-butoxy-tert-butylperoxytitanium that formed with another Bu^tOOH molecule. Aluminum-containing peroxide (Bu^tO)₂AlOOBu^t oxidizes sulfides to sulfoxides.Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 8, pp. 1663–1668, August, 2004.     

Mechanism of Thermal Toluene Autoxidation

Aerobic oxidation of toluene (PhCH₃) is investigated by complementary experimental and theoretical methodologies. Whereas the reaction of the chain‐carrying benzylperoxyl radicals with the substrate produces predominantly benzyl hydroperoxide, benzyl alcohol and benzaldehyde originate mainly from subsequent propagation of the hydroperoxide product. Nevertheless, a significant fraction of benzaldehyde is also produced in primary PhCH₃ propagation, presumably via proton rather than hydrogen transfer. An equimolar amount of benzyl alcohol, together with benzoic acid, is additionally produced in the tertiary propagation of PhCHO with benzylperoxyl radicals. The “hot” oxy radicals generated in this step can also abstract aromatic hydrogen atoms from PhCH₃, and this results in production of cresols, known inhibitors of radical‐chain reactions. The very fast benzyl peroxyl‐initiated co‐oxidation of benzyl alcohol generates HO₂^. radicals, along with benzaldehyde. This reaction also causes a decrease in the overall oxidation rate, due to the fast chain‐terminating reaction of HO₂^. with the benzylperoxyl radicals, which causes a loss of chain carriers. Moreover, due to the fast equilibrium PhCH₂OOH+HO₂^.?PhCH₂OO^.+H₂O₂, and the much lower reactivity of H₂O₂ compared to PhCH₂OOH, the fast co‐oxidation of the alcohol means that HO₂^. gradually takes over the role of benzylperoxyl as principal chain carrier. This drastically changes the autoxidation mechanism and, among other things, causes a sharp decrease in the hydroperoxide yield.     

Titanium tetra-<Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-butoxide-<Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-butyl hydroperoxide oxidizing system: Physicochemical and chemical aspects

The reaction of titanium tetra-tert-butoxide with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (1: 2) (C₆H₆, 20 C) involves the steps of formation of the titanium-containing peroxide (t-BuO)₃TiOOBu-t and peroxytrioxide (t-BuO)₃TiOOOBu-t. The latter decomposes with the release of oxygen, often in the singlet form, and also homolytically with cleavage of both peroxy bonds. The corresponding alkoxy and peroxy radicals were identified by ESR using spin traps. The title system oxidizes organic substrates under mild conditions. Depending on the substrate structure, the active oxidant species can be titanium-containing peroxide, peroxytrioxide, and oxygen generated by the system.     

On the mechanism of thermal oxidation of methane

Using the method of freezing radicals in conjunction with ESR spectroscopic measurements, the kinetics of the thermal oxidation of methane has been studied under atmospheric pressure depending on the temperature, composition of the mixture, and nature of the surface of the reaction vessel. It has been shown that in a reactor treated with boric acid, the intermediates methylhydroperoxide and hydrogen peroxide are responsible for chain branching. It has been established that the leading active centers of the reaction are the HO₂ radicals, while chain branching occurs as a result of the decomposition of peroxy compounds—methylhydroperoxide and hydrogen peroxide. In reactors treated with potassium bromide, the concentrations of radicals and peroxy compounds were found to be lower than the sensitivity of the method of measurement. Computations were performed for the scheme of methane oxidation at 738 K for a reactor treated with boric acid. Satisfactory agreement was found between the experimental and computed kinetic curves of accumulation of main intermediates CH₂O, H₂O₂, CH₃OOH. The influence of their addition on the kinetics of the reaction has been considered. It has been shown that the addition of formaldehyde does not lead to chain branching, however; it contributes to the formation of those peroxy compounds that bring about chain branching. Mathematical modeling confirmed conclusions made on the basis of experimental data concerning the nature of the leading active centers and the products that are responsible for the degenerate chain branching.     

Kinetics of the early stages of oct-1-ene and cyclooctene oxidation with molecular oxygen in the presence of MoS<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The kinetics of the early stages of the liquid-phase oxidation of oct-1-ene and cyclooctene with molecular oxygen in the presence of MoS₂ and tert-butyl hydroperoxide is reported. MoS₂ initiates oct-1-ene oxidation and inhibits cyclooctene oxidation. This is explained by the different reactivities of the hydroperoxide-containing complexes in the radical generation reaction. A kinetic scheme is suggested, and kinetic parameters of the process are calculated.     

Oxidation and chlorination reactions of perfluoroketene-N,S-acetals

The paper presents the results of the investigation of oxidation and chlorination reactions of perfluoroketene-N,S-acetals. Oxidation reactions of perfluoroketene-N,S-acetals proved to be dependent on the nature of oxidizing agent and led to the formation of corresponding sulfone in the case of m-chloroperbenzoic acid or amides of α-H-perfluoroalkane carboxylic acids in the case of tert-butyl hydroperoxide or hydrogen peroxide. Reaction of 1-tert-butylsulfanyl-2,3,3,4,4,4-hexafluoro-1-[N-methyl,N-((S)-α-methylbenzyl)amino]-but-1-ene with sulfuryl chloride demonstrated the chlorination of perfluoroketene-N,S-acetals as a new approach in the synthesis of chiral α-chloro perfluoroalkane carboxylic acid amides.     

Selective catalytic oxidation reaction of p-xylene on manganese–iron mixed oxide materials

Mixed manganese iron oxides (Mn/Fe/O) as heterogeneous catalysts were prepared by hydrothermal treatment and citrate methods to be tested in the oxidation of p-xylene (PX) using as oxidation agent molecular oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, and tert-butyl hydroperoxide. Preparation of mixed MnFe oxide by the citrate method releases materials with smaller particle size and lower degree of crystallinity as compared with the hydrothermal one, which further leads to a higher activity toward the oxidation of PX. A conversion of PX of 98% and a yield in p-toluic acid of 93% were obtained in the presence of Mn/Fe/O prepared by the citrate method using tert-butyl hydroperoxide as an oxidizing agent.     

Inhibition of Polyethylene and Polypropylene Oxidation by Nitro Compounds Reacting with Alkyl and Peroxy Radicals

The kinetics of chain termination in polypropylene and polyethylene oxidation inhibited by 2,4-dinitrololuene is studied. 2,4-Dinitrololuene inhibits the oxidation of polyethylene and polypropylene lacking hydroperoxide groups by terminating chains in the reaction with alkyl macroradicals. In oxidized polypropylene containing hydroperoxide groups, chain termination on 2,4-dinitrololuene involves both alkyl and peroxy radicals. A cyclic mechanism is proposed for chain termination in partially oxidized polypropylene involving HO₂ ^·and nitroxyl radicals formed from 2,4-dinitrololuene.     

Aging and degradation of polyolefins. I. Peroxide-initiated oxidations of atactic polypropylene

Efficiencies of polymer radical production by thermal decomposition of di-tert-butylperoxy oxalate (DBPO) have been measured in bulk atactic polypropylene (PP) at 25–55°C; they range from 1 to 26%, depending on [DBPO], temperature, and presence of oxygen. Most of the polymer radicals thus produced disproportionate in the absence of oxygen but form peroxy radicals in its presence. Most of the pairs of peroxy radicals interact by a first-order reaction in the polymer cage. The fraction that escapes gives hydroperoxide in a reaction that is half order in rate of initiation. In interactions of polymer peroxy radicals, in or out of the cage, about one-third give dialkyl peroxides and immediate chain termination, two-thirds give alkoxy radicals. About one-third of the later cleave at 45°C; the rest abstract hydrogen to give hydroxy groups and new polymer and polymer peroxy radicals. The primary peroxy radicals from cleavage account for the rest of the chain termination. Cleavage of alkoxy radicals and crosslinking of PP through dialkyl peroxides nearly compensate. Up to 70% of the oxygen absorbed has been found in hydroperoxides. The formation of these can be completely inhibited, but cage reactions are unaffected by inhibitors. Concentrations of free polymer peroxy radicals have been measured by electron spin resonance and found to be very high, about 10^?3M at 58–63°C. Comparison with results on 2,4-dimethylpentane indicate that rate constants for both chain propagation and termination in the polymer are much smaller than those for the model hydrocarbon but that the ratio, k_p/(2k_t)^½, is about the same.     

Physico-chemical aspects of polyethylene processing in an open mixer. Part 23: Mechanisms and kinetics of trans-vinylene group consumption

There are many potential reactions for trans-vinylene groups in oxidizing polyethylene melts. The main possibilities are reactions with peroxy radicals, molecular oxygen, hydroperoxides and peracids. These different reactions can all contribute to the removal of trans-vinylene groups to some extent. This is especially so, for the reactions with hydroperoxides that have been found to be the dominant reactions with vinylidene and vinyl groups in the low temperature range. The reaction with peroxy radicals is thought to be as important relatively as with vinylidene groups. Therefore, the importance of the reaction is decreasing with increasing temperature. However, the most characteristic reaction for trans-vinylene groups can be detected without any doubt only in the advanced stages of processing. It is mechanical stress induced oxygen addition to the double bond. The discussion shows that the reaction should be important from the beginning of processing. The reaction cannot operate with vinyl and vinylidene groups, which are not part of the polyethylene main chain. After oxygen addition to the trans-vinylene group, the “ene” reaction yields an allylic hydroperoxide so that the double bond is not immediately removed. It is acid catalyzed hydroperoxide decomposition that leads to chain scission with aldehyde formation at the new chain ends.