Chemiluminescent recombination of acetyl radicals

Abstract

Pyrolysis of di-terbutylperoxyoxalate at 45ºC in the presence of acetaldehyde produces quantitative yields of tertbutanol and biacetyl. Luminescence arising from excited biacetyl is produced during the peroxide decomposition. The excited mpolecules are produced in the recombination of two acetyl radicals: 2 CH3CO → 3CH3COCOCH3 (1) The yield of excited molecules in the recombination of two acetyl radicals is 1.3 x 10-4.