Thermal decomposition reaction of acetone triperoxide in toluene solution

The thermal decomposition reaction of acetone cyclic triperoxide (3,3,6,6,9 ,9-hexamethyl-1,2,4,5,7,8-hexaoxacyclononane, ACTP) in the temperature rang e of 130.0-166.0 degrees C and an initial concentration of 0.021 M has been studied in toluene solution. The thermolysis follows first-order kinetic l aws up to at least ca. 78% acetone triperoxide conversion. Under the experi mental conditions, a radical-induced decomposition reaction as a competing mechanism may be dismissed, so the activation parameters correspond to the unimolecular thermal decomposition reaction of the ACTP molecule [Delta H d ouble dagger = 41.8 (+/-1.6) kcal mol(-1) and Delta S double dagger = 18.5 (+/-3.8) cal mol(-1)K(-1)]. Analysis of the reaction products are not enoug h to elucidate the real mechanism for the thermolysis of the acetone triper oxide in toluene solution.