The decomposition of substituted benzoyl peroxides in the presence of dimethoxybenzenes

Benzoyl peroxides, particularly those containing electron withdrawing substituents, undergo rapid decomposition in the presence of m-dimethoxybenzene, p-dimethoxybenzene, 2,5-di-t-butyl-1,4-dimethoxybenzene, and 2,5-dimethyl-1,4-dimethoxybenzene. Reactions are first order in peroxide and dimethoxy benzene, increasing in the order given. Identified products are the acids corresponding to the peroxide and esters involving ring substitution, ring-substitution with elimination of a t-Bu group, and benzylic substitution. It is proposed that reaction involves a rate-determining charge transfer transition state leading to radical ion pairs which collapse to products. No free radicals have been detected.