Chapter 11 Pyrolysis of Peroxy Compounds

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the pyrolysis of peroxy compounds. Organic hydroperoxides are compounds with the formula R–O–OH, where R is an alkyl or aryl organic radical. The R group can also consist of an acyl group. In this case, the resulting compounds are peroxy acids. The chapter discusses decomposition of methyl hydroperoxide and some other hydroperoxides. Organic peroxides are compounds with the formula R–O–O–R’, where Rand R’ are alkyl or aryl organic radicals. Peroxides are typically used as radical initiators in polymer industry. Some peroxides are used as explosives such as hexamethylenetriperoxide-diamine (HMTD). Some peroxides are found in nature, for example, artemisinin. Thermal decomposition of peroxides also takes place at low temperatures and their thermal decomposition is not truly pyrolysis. The chapter discusses decomposition of dimethyl peroxide and some other peroxides as well. Organic ozonides are typically formed in a reaction between ozone and an alkene. Ozonides are not stable compounds and they decompose at temperatures as low as 70–80°C. Because the process takes place at low temperatures, the ozonide decomposition was used for synthetic purposes with the preservation of specific structural characteristics of the molecule. Several types of compounds contain in their molecule the peroxy group O–O connected to one or two acyl substituents. Thermal decomposition of acyl peroxides takes place at low temperatures and cannot be classified as pyrolysis.