Autoxidation of nonane and decane: a product study

Abstract

The autoxidation of nonane and decane has been shown to occur in three stages. The initial stage leads t o alkyl hydroperoxide formation and in the second stage the hydroperoxide decomposes to produce alcohols and ketones as major products. These studies support the proposal that hydroperoxide decomposition in the second stage occurs by a radical-induced decomposition. In the third stage the products are oxidised in competition with the alkane. Under the conditions of the autoxidation, the alkanes produce γ-lactones as the major ester components and carboxylic acids are formed in the latter stages of the autoxidation. Decan-2-one is shown to be the precursor of heptan-1-01 and octanal.