The kinetics of the catalysed photolysis of diethyl peroxide in solution

Abstract

Pure diethyl peroxide was prepared and the photolysis in carbon tetrachloride, cyclohexane, and water studied. Ethyl alcohol and acetaldehyde were the sole products in all three solvents. With light of wavelength 313 nm the quantum yield for the destruction of the peroxide was much lower using cyclohexane or carbon tetrachloride then water. In water it was found that Cu²⁺ was an efficient photochemical catalyst and the kinetics of the copper ion-catalysed photolysis were then investigated using rotating sector techniques. A reaction scheme has been evaluated and rate constants for some of the suggested steps have been deduced.