FREE-RADICAL MECHANISMS IN THE OXIDATION AND HALOGENATION OF ALKANES,ALKENES AND ALKYLBENZENES BY T-BUOOH UNDER GIF-BARTON CATALYSIS

A considerable effort has been carried out to show the nonradical char acter of the so-called ''Gif reaction''. Chemical and kinetic evidence s and new synthetic developments, concerning the free-radical function alization of alkanes, alkenes and alkylbenzenes by t-BuOOH under Gif c onditions, are reported. The factors, which determine the specificity of the Gif reaction, are discussed, also in relation to other catalyti c transition metal salt complexes (Kharasch synthesis of peroxides and metalloporphyrin catalysis).