Kinetics of the Decomposition of Diethyl Peroxide

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Abstract
The kinetics of the gas‐phase decomposition of diethyl peroxide have been studied in a flow system, using excess of toluene. The main reaction products were found to be ethane and formaldehyde, and there were smaller amounts of methane and dibenzyl. The frequency factor of the reaction is 2.1×1013, and the activation energy is 31.7 kcal per mole. The mechanism of the reaction is discussed, and it is shown that the measured rate must refer to the initial dissociation C2H5OOC2H5→2C2H5O. With a new value of 47.8 kcal for the heat of formation of gaseous diethyl peroxide, the heat of formation of the C2H5O radical is calculated to be 8.1 kcal, which agrees satisfactorily with estimates from other kinetic data. Thermochemical values for other reactions involving this radical are calculated.

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