Thermal decomposition of trimethylsilyl tert-butyl persuccinate

1. The decomposition of trimethylsilyl tert-butyl persuccinate in the absence of a solvent, and also in benzene or cumene, begins with cleavage of the O-O bond. 2. The formed Si-containing acyloxy radicals mainly undergo fragmentation with the elimination of CO2, and are converted to carbotrimethylsiloxyethyl radicals. The latter either cleave hydrogen from the solvent (cumene) or alkylate benzene by the homolytic substitution mechanism. The recombination of the radicals in the solvent cage is 16–20%.