| Abstract: | The products of the autoxidation of various simple alkyl aromatic hydrocarbons were reduced by LiAlH4, and the alcohols formed were determined by gas chromatography. In the cases of 2-phenylbutane, 3-phenylpentane, and 2-p-tolylbutane a considerable fragmentation of the intermediate tertiary alkoxy radicals was proved. On the basis of the analytical results relative reaction rates of the various C–H-bonds in the hydrocarbons studied were calculated. It is shown that the attack at C–H bonds which are not activated by the aromatic nucleus cannot be neglected and may be of great importance for the kinetics of the oxidation of alkyl aromatic hydrocarbons. |
