KINETICS OF THE REACTION BETWEEN DIMETHYLDIOXIRANE AND 2-METHYLBUTANE

The kinetics of the reaction between dimethyldioxirane and 2-methylbut ane in acetone solutions were studied spectrophotometrically at 25 deg rees C. The radical-chain induced decomposition of dioxirane proceedin g with the participation of the carbon-centered radicals follows the f irst-order kinetic law. The reaction is inhibited by dioxygen. In the presence of O-2, the dimethyldioxirane consumption is due to the homol ysis of the O-O bond (at a rate constant of 6.3 . 10(-4) s(-1)) follow ed by attack of the C-H bond of 2-methylbutane by the biradical formed . The rate constant of the reaction between the alkyl radical and dime thyldioxirane was estimated.