Reaction of Di-β-naphthoyl Peroxide with Aromatic Compounds in the Presence of Cupric Chloride

Abstract

In the presence of cupric chloride, the thermal decomposition reaction of di-β-naphthoyl peroxide with substituted benzenes has been investigated. The compositions of isomers and the relative rates for aromatic substrates indicated that the β-naphthoylexylatien proceeded by β-naphthoyloxy radicals possessing electrophilic properties. The partial rate factors for meta and para oxygenations might be correlated with the available σ⁺-substituent parameters according to the Hammett-Brown relationship. The straight line which was best fited to these points had a slope of -1.88.