Reactions of Alkoxy Radicals. I. The Reactions of Di-tert.-butyl Peroxide with n-Butyric Acid and Ethyl n-Butyrate

Abstract

The relative yields of meso- and racernic-2,3-diethylsucoinic and 2-ethyl-3-methyl-glutaric acids from the reaction of di-tert.-butyl peroxide with n-butyric acid indicate that abstraction of hydrogen atoms from the acid by tert.-butoxy radicals occurs preferentially at the α-position. A similar directive effect has been noted in the reaction of ethyl n-butyrate with di-tert.-butyl peroxide. These results suggest that the tert.-butoxy radical has negligible electron-acceptor properties and that polar effects do not influence the course of its reactions. Catalytic amounts of cupric chloride profoundly modify the reaction of di-tert.-butyl peroxide with n-butyric acid. New analytical methods for the separation and determination of hydroxy- and dicarboxylic acids are described.