STUDIES ON THE MECHANISM OF THE INITIAL DARK OXIDATION OF ETHERS

The contact charge transfer (CCT) complexes of isopropyl ether, phenyl isopropyl ether and benzyl isopropyl ether with O-2 were measured. It was found that the oxygenative position of isopropyl ether is differe nt from that of phenyl isopropyl ether and benzyl isopropyl ether due to benzene ring in their structures. In the former the oxygenative pos ition is at the etheroxy bond while in the latter at the benzene ring. The mechanism of the initial dark oxidation of ether was proposed.