The reaction of methyl and t-butoxy radicals with benzene

Abstract

Abstract Mass spectroscopic analysis shows that diphenyl and C13 and C14 hydrocarbons are produced when di-t-butyl peroxide decomposes in a very dilute benzene solution. In contrast, when acetyl peroxide decomposes in benzene, only C14 hydrocarbons are produced. Thus it appears that methyl radicals react with benzene through an addition mechanism, but t-butoxy radicals abstract hydrogen from benzene with the production of phenyl radicals. The higher molecular weight products from the decomposition of di-t-butyl peroxide in benzene can be explained as products of the combination reactions of phenyl and methylcyclohexadienyl radicals.