Mechanism of the autoxidation of triethylborane. Part I. Reaction in the gas phase

Abstract

The autoxidation of triethylborane was studied in the gas phase. The products are a complex mixture of hydrocarbons, acetaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and higher molecular weight products. The reaction proceeds through an autocatalytic chain process. The initiation step is a slow molecular reaction, leading to diethylboryl ethyl peroxide, which in turn reacts with triethylborane, evolving ethyl radicals. Self heating of the reaction mixture is shown to have an important effect on the yield and distribution of products.