Thermal decomposition of aliphatic peroxy acids

The thermal decomposition reactions of aliphatic peroxy acids containing from 8 to 16 carbon atoms in a molecule were studied. It was found that the carbon radical length had no effect on the thermal stability of peroxide groups. The apparent rate constants of thermolysis of peroxydecanoic acid in various solvents and the activation energies of the test reaction were found. The thermal degradation of peroxy acids involved secondary reactions of induced chain degradation in addition to the primary homolysis of the peroxide group. The rate constants of induced chain degradation were found.