Homolytic reactions of polyfluoroaromatic compounds Part VIII. The decomposition of benzoyl peroxide in hexafluorobenzene

The decomposition of benzoyl peroxide in hexafluorobenzene proceeds by a spontaneous first-order process accompanied by an induced decomposition showing 1.5-order dependence upon the concentration of the peroxide. The induced decomposition is associated with the formation of 2,2′,3,4,5,6-hexafluorobiphenyl and benzoic acid. 2,3,4,5,6-Pentafluorobiphenyl is the main product at all concentrations of peroxide; small amounts of other compounds are formed, together with a high-boiling residue probably containing isomeric dodecafluorotetrahydroquaterphenyls. The mechanism is discussed.