THE DECOMPOSITION OF T-BUTYL ERYTHRO- AND THREO-2,3-DIPHENYLPEROXYBUTYRATE IN SOLUTION. THE PRODUCT ANALYSIS AND THE CAGE EFFECT

Decomposition of t-butyl erythro- and threo-2,3-diphenylperoxybutyrate was examined in solution at 60 °C; there was no indication of induced decomposition taking place as is the case with t-butyl 2,3-diphenylperoxypropionate. Various hydrocarbons resulting from the reaction of the 1,2-diphenylpropyl radical in a variety of ways were identified in the product, and t-butyl 1,2-diphenylpropyl ether was found to be formed as cage recombination product in the threo/erythro isomeric ratio which depended on the stereochemistry of the starting peroxybutyrate.