SIMULATION OF FREE-RADICAL ADDITION-REACTIONS MODIFIED BY THE PRESENCE OF COBALT MACROCYCLES

Free radical addition reactions in the presence of cobaloximes and rel ated compounds have been modelled. Several mechanisms are presented an d similarities with the ''persistent radical effect'' noted by Daikh a nd Finke are discussed. Cobaloximes and salophen (a)) derivatives are widely used in organic synthesis to build carbon-carbon bonds, whereas in polymer synthesis they are used as catalytic chain transfer agents in the production of oligomers. This work shows that these reactions are closely related and also demonstrates the influence that an extern al radical source has on the overall reaction kinetics.