Synthesis, characterization and kinetics of thermal decomposition of dimeric peroxycarbamates

Several dimeric peroxycarbamates (PCs) have been synthesized by using cycloaliphatic and aromatic diisocyanates with mono- and di-hydroperoxides. The reactions were carried out under suitable conditions either in the presence of T-12 (dibutyltin dilaurate) as catalyst or in the absence of this catalyst. The products were characterized by IR-spectra and molecular weight measurements from isocyanate and peroxygen analyses. Thermal decomposition kinetics of these PCs were studied in THF solution at 80, 90 and 100 °C; the reactions were found to be first-order and decomposition rate constants (k_d) were found. Activation energies and frequency factors for the decomposition were calculated. Activation energies were found to be in the range 67-121 kJ mol⁻¹ and frequency factors were of the order of 10¹¹-10¹⁵ s⁻¹ depending on the structure of the PC. The results for the PCs agree well with literature values.