The induced decomposition of t-butyl peroxide in solution. Part III. Decomposition of t-butyl peroxide in alkyl benzyl ethers; steric effects

Abstract

Product and rate studies of the thermal decomposition of t-butyl peroxide in a series of alkyl benzyl ethers PhCH₂·OR (R = Me, Et, Prⁱ, Bu^t, or Ph) show little induced decomposition of the peroxide by the ether radical PhĊHOR, whereas in the case of the chloro-substituted ethers ArCH₂·OR (Ar = 4-ClC₆H₄ or 3,4-Cl₂C₆H₃, R = Me, Et, Prⁱ, Bu^t, or Ph) induced decomposition does occur to widely varying degrees, showing marked steric influence by the group R.