Mechanism of the autoxidation of triethylborane. Part II. Importance of an autocatalytic initiation reaction in solution

Abstract

Triethylborane was oxidized in the presence of variable amounts of iodine. Induction periods which were dependent upon the iodine–oxygen concentration ratio could be observed for the consumption of iodine, which was thereafter used up readily. In order to explain the experimental results, a mechanism including a fast autocatalytic initiation reaction is suggested.