THE THERMAL-DECOMPOSITION OF ALPHA-TETRALYL HYDROPEROXIDE UNDER NONISOTHERMAL CONDITIONS, IN THE PRESENCE OF TETRALIN

The thermal decompositions of tetralin and of alpha- tetralyl hydroper oxide (THPO) in the presence of tetralin have been investigated in the temperature range 23-500 degrees C by employing DTA and TGA. The ther mochemical decomposition of tetralin is a one-stage process in the tem perature range 65-180 degrees C under non-isothermal conditions. It wa s shown that tetralin retards the thermal decomposition of THPO due to the decrease of the steady-state concentration of tetralyl radicals a nd its participation in the radical decomposition. The formation and d ecomposition of the intermolecular (OH...pi) associates between THPO a nd the tetralin molecule influence the hydroperoxide homolysis and the initial temperature of the decomposition. The presence of gamma-o-hyd roxyphenyl butyric acid, a natural inhibitor of the studied systems, w as observed. The presence of bitetralyl peroxide and bitetralyl ether in the reaction product at 160 degrees C indicates that termination re actions take place with the dominating participation of tetralyl radic als. The presence of bitetralyl tetroxide indicates a probable gas-pha se mechanism in non-isothermal conditions and decreased oxygen access.