TERMINATION OF PEROXY-RADICALS OF 6-HEXANELACTAM

The reaction of two N-alkylamide peroxy radicals produces two molecule s of imide and one molecule of hydrogen peroxide; a reaction of this p eroxyl with another radical also leads to two imide molecules. This re action is in contrast to the currently cited Russell mechanism of pero xy radical termination in hydrocarbon oxidation producing alcohol, ket one and dioxygen, but is in accordance with the termination proposed b y other authors, e.g. Lee and Mendenhall. It cannot be excluded that t he termination of amide peroxyls takes a course different from that of hydrocarbon peroxyls, but an unequivocal proof of the validity of the Russell mechanism has not been found in the literature. (C) 1998 Publ ished by Elsevier Science Limited. All rights reserved.