CHEMILUMINESCENCE IN THE THERMAL-DECOMPOSITION OF DI(TERT-BUTYL) TRIOXIDE

Intense chemiluminescence (CL) in the visible and IR regions arising d uring the thermal decomposition of di(tert-butyl) trioxide has been ob served. The decomposition rate constants have been determined. The emi tter of CL in the IR region is singlet oxygen, that of CL in the visib le region is triplet excited acetone. Kinetic and spectral data and th ermochemical and MNDO calculations point to a homolytic mechanism of d ecomposition. The formation of the CL emitters occurs in the reactions of radicals that arise upon the decay of di(tert-butyl) trioxide.