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.