Kinetic Features of Decomposition of Benzoyl Peroxide in Superbasic Media

Kinetics of decomposition of benzoyl peroxide in superbasic media comprising mixtures of a dipolar aprotic solvent and a strong ionic base is studied. The process occurs in two steps through formation of intermediate perbenzoate anion. The contribution of ionic reactions is controlled by the polarity and dielectric constant of the solvent. The decomposition products are molecular oxygen and an alkali metal benzoate or perbenzoate. These products can be alkylated with butyl bromide in superbasic media.__________Translated from Zhurnal Obshchei Khimii, Vol. 75, No. 5, 2005, pp. 803–808.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Lyavinets.