Hydroperoxide

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The general structure of an organic hydroperoxide with the blue marked functional group, where R stands for any group, typically organic FunktionelleGruppen Hydroperoxide.svg
The general structure of an organic hydroperoxide with the blue marked functional group, where R stands for any group, typically organic

Hydroperoxides or peroxols are compounds of the form ROOH, where R stands for any group, typically organic, which contain the hydroperoxy functional group (−OOH). Hydroperoxide also refers to the hydroperoxide anion (OOH) and its salts, and the neutral hydroperoxyl radical (•OOH) consist of an unbond hydroperoxy group. When R is organic, the compounds are called organic hydroperoxides. Such compounds are a subset of organic peroxides, which have the formula ROOR. Organic hydroperoxides can either intentionally or unintentionally initiate explosive polymerisation in materials with unsaturated chemical bonds. [1]

Contents

Properties

The O−O bond length in peroxides is about 1.45  Å, and the R−O−O angles (R = H, C) are about 110° (water-like). Characteristically, the C−O−O−H dihedral angles are about 120°. The O−O bond is relatively weak, with a bond dissociation energy of 45–50 kcal/mol (190–210 kJ/mol), less than half the strengths of C−C, C−H, and C−O bonds. [2] [3]

Hydroperoxides are typically more volatile than the corresponding alcohols:

Miscellaneous reactions

Hydroperoxides are mildly acidic. The range is indicated by 11.5 for CH3OOH to 13.1 for Ph3COOH. [4]

Hydroperoxides can be reduced to alcohols with lithium aluminium hydride, as described in this idealized equation:

4 ROOH + LiAlH4 → LiAlO2 + 2 H2O + 4 ROH

This reaction is the basis of methods for analysis of organic peroxides. [5] Another way to evaluate the content of peracids and peroxides is the volumetric titration with alkoxides such as sodium ethoxide. [6] The phosphite esters and tertiary phosphines also effect reduction:

ROOH + PR3 → OPR3 + ROH

Uses

Precursors to epoxides

"The single most important synthetic application of alkyl hydroperoxides is without doubt the metal-catalysed epoxidation of alkenes." In the Halcon process tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) is employed for the production of propylene oxide. [7]

Of specialized interest, chiral epoxides are prepared using hydroperoxides as reagents in the Sharpless epoxidation. [8]

The Sharpless epoxidation Sharpless epoxidation DE.svg
The Sharpless epoxidation

Production of cyclohexanone and caprolactone

Hydroperoxides are intermediates in the production of many organic compounds in industry. For example, the cobalt catalyzed oxidation of cyclohexane to cyclohexanone: [9]

C6H12 + O2 → (CH2)5C=O + H2O

Drying oils, as found in many paints and varnishes, function via the formation of hydroperoxides.

Hock processes

Synthesis of cumene hydroperoxide Hock-Phenol.png
Synthesis of cumene hydroperoxide

Compounds with allylic and benzylic C−H bonds are especially susceptible to oxygenation. [10] Such reactivity is exploited industrially on a large scale for the production of phenol by the Cumene process or Hock process for its cumene and cumene hydroperoxide intermediates. [11] Such reactions rely on radical initiators that reacts with oxygen to form an intermediate that abstracts a hydrogen atom from a weak C-H bond. The resulting radical binds O2, to give hydroperoxyl (ROO•), which then continues the cycle of H-atom abstraction. [12]

Synthesis of hydroperoxides of alkene and singlet oxygen in an ene reaction Schenk-En-Reaktion.png
Synthesis of hydroperoxides of alkene and singlet oxygen in an ene reaction

Formation

By autoxidation

The most important (in a commercial sense) peroxides are produced by autoxidation, the direct reaction of O2 with a hydrocarbon. Autoxidation is a radical reaction that begins with the abstraction of an H atom from a relatively weak C-H bond. Important compounds made in this way include tert-butyl hydroperoxide, cumene hydroperoxide and ethylbenzene hydroperoxide: [7]

R−H + O2 → R−OOH


Tetrahydrofuran peroxide formation.svg

Auto-oxidation reaction is also observed with common ethers, such as diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, and 1,4-dioxane. An illustrative product is diethyl ether peroxide. Such compounds can result in a serious explosion when distilled. [12] To minimize this problem, commercial samples of THF are often inhibited with butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). Distillation of THF to dryness is avoided because the explosive peroxides concentrate in the residue.

Although ether hydroperoxide often form adventitiously (i.e. autoxidation), they can be prepared in high yield by the acid-catalyzed addition of hydrogen peroxide to vinyl ethers: [13]

C2H5OCH=CH2 + H2O2 → C2H5OCH(OOH)CH3

From hydrogen peroxide

Many industrial peroxides are produced using hydrogen peroxide. Reactions with aldehydes and ketones yield a series of compounds depending on conditions. Specific reactions include addition of hydrogen peroxide across the C=O double bond:

R2C=O + H2O2 → R2C(OH)OOH

In some cases, these hydroperoxides convert to give cyclic diperoxides:

[R2C(O2H)]2O2[R2C]2(O2)2 + 2 H2O

Addition of this initial adduct to a second equivalent of the carbonyl:

R2C=O + R2C(OH)OOH → [R2C(OH)]2O2

Further replacement of alcohol groups:

[R2C(OH)]2O2 + 2 H2O2[R2C(O2H)]2O2 + 2 H2O

Triphenylmethanol reacts with hydrogen peroxide gives the unusually stable hydroperoxide, Ph3COOH. [14]

Naturally occurring hydroperoxides

Many hydroperoxides are derived from fatty acids, steroids, and terpenes. The biosynthesis of these species is affected extensively by enzymes.

Illustrative biosynthetic transformation involving a hydroperoxide. Here cis-3-hexenal is generated by conversion of linolenic acid to the hydroperoxide by the action of a lipoxygenase followed by the lyase-induced formation of the hemiacetal. LyaseNonenalHemiAc.png
Illustrative biosynthetic transformation involving a hydroperoxide. Here cis-3-hexenal is generated by conversion of linolenic acid to the hydroperoxide by the action of a lipoxygenase followed by the lyase-induced formation of the hemiacetal.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ether</span> Organic compounds made of alkyl/aryl groups bound to oxygen (R–O–R)

In organic chemistry, ethers are a class of compounds that contain an ether group—an oxygen atom connected to two alkyl or aryl groups. They have the general formula R−O−R′, where R and R′ represent the alkyl or aryl groups. Ethers can again be classified into two varieties: if the alkyl or aryl groups are the same on both sides of the oxygen atom, then it is a simple or symmetrical ether, whereas if they are different, the ethers are called mixed or unsymmetrical ethers. A typical example of the first group is the solvent and anaesthetic diethyl ether, commonly referred to simply as "ether". Ethers are common in organic chemistry and even more prevalent in biochemistry, as they are common linkages in carbohydrates and lignin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peroxide</span> Chemical compounds with the structure R–O–O–R

In chemistry, peroxides are a group of compounds with the structure R−O−O−R, where R is any element. The O−O group in a peroxide is called the peroxide group or peroxy group. The nomenclature is somewhat variable, and the term was introduced by Thomas Thomson in 1804 for an oxide with the greatest quantity of oxygen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cumene process</span> Industrial process

The cumene process is an industrial process for synthesizing phenol and acetone from benzene and propylene. The term stems from cumene, the intermediate material during the process. It was invented by R. Ūdris and P. Sergeyev in 1942 (USSR), and independently by Heinrich Hock in 1944.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Epoxide</span> Organic compounds with a carbon-carbon-oxygen ring

In organic chemistry, an epoxide is a cyclic ether, where the ether forms a three-atom ring: two atoms of carbon and one atom of oxygen. This triangular structure has substantial ring strain, making epoxides highly reactive, more so than other ethers. They are produced on a large scale for many applications. In general, low molecular weight epoxides are colourless and nonpolar, and often volatile.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diethyl ether peroxide</span> Chemical compound

Diethyl ether hydroperoxide is the organic compound with the formula C2H5OCH(OOH)CH3. It is a colorless liquid. Diethyl ether hydroperoxide and its condensation products are responsible for the explosive organic peroxides that slowly form upon exposure of diethyl ether to ambient air and temperature conditions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peroxy acid</span> Organic acid having a peroxide bond

A peroxy acid is an acid which contains an acidic –OOH group. The two main classes are those derived from conventional mineral acids, especially sulfuric acid, and the peroxy derivatives of organic carboxylic acids. They are generally strong oxidizers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Organic peroxides</span> Organic compounds of the form R–O–O–R’

In organic chemistry, organic peroxides are organic compounds containing the peroxide functional group. If the R′ is hydrogen, the compounds are called hydroperoxides, which are discussed in that article. The O−O bond of peroxides easily breaks, producing free radicals of the form RO. Thus, organic peroxides are useful as initiators for some types of polymerization, such as the acrylic, unsaturated polyester, and vinyl ester resins used in glass-reinforced plastics. MEKP and benzoyl peroxide are commonly used for this purpose. However, the same property also means that organic peroxides can explosively combust. Organic peroxides, like their inorganic counterparts, are often powerful bleaching agents.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Enol ether</span> Class of chemical compounds

In organic chemistry an enol ether is an alkene with an alkoxy substituent. The general structure is R2C=CR-OR where R = H, alkyl or aryl. A common subfamily of enol ethers are vinyl ethers, with the formula ROCH=CH2. Important enol ethers include the reagent 3,4-dihydropyran and the monomers methyl vinyl ether and ethyl vinyl ether.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cumene</span> Chemical compound

Cumene (isopropylbenzene) is an organic compound that contains a benzene ring with an isopropyl substituent. It is a constituent of crude oil and refined fuels. It is a flammable colorless liquid that has a boiling point of 152 °C. Nearly all the cumene that is produced as a pure compound on an industrial scale is converted to cumene hydroperoxide, which is an intermediate in the synthesis of other industrially important chemicals, primarily phenol and acetone.

Organoselenium chemistry is the science exploring the properties and reactivity of organoselenium compounds, chemical compounds containing carbon-to-selenium chemical bonds. Selenium belongs with oxygen and sulfur to the group 16 elements or chalcogens, and similarities in chemistry are to be expected. Organoselenium compounds are found at trace levels in ambient waters, soils and sediments.

Autoxidation refers to oxidations brought about by reactions with oxygen at normal temperatures, without the intervention of flame or electric spark. The term is usually used to describe the gradual degradation of organic compounds in air at ambient temperatures. Many common phenomena can be attributed to autoxidation, such as food going rancid, the 'drying' of varnishes and paints, and the perishing of rubber. It is also an important concept in both industrial chemistry and biology. Autoxidation is therefore a fairly broad term and can encompass examples of photooxygenation and catalytic oxidation.

Peracetic acid (also known as peroxyacetic acid, or PAA) is an organic compound with the formula CH3CO3H. This peroxy acid is a colorless liquid with a characteristic acrid odor reminiscent of acetic acid. It can be highly corrosive.

Polymer stabilizers are chemical additives which may be added to polymeric materials, such as plastics and rubbers, to inhibit or retard their degradation. Common polymer degradation processes include oxidation, UV-damage, thermal degradation, ozonolysis, combinations thereof such as photo-oxidation, as well as reactions with catalyst residues, dyes, or impurities. All of these degrade the polymer at a chemical level, via chain scission, uncontrolled recombination and cross-linking, which adversely affects many key properties such as strength, malleability, appearance and colour.

<i>tert</i>-Butyl hydroperoxide Chemical compound

tert-Butyl hydroperoxide (tBuOOH) is the organic compound with the formula (CH3)3COOH. It is one of the most widely used hydroperoxides in a variety of oxidation processes, for example the Halcon process. It is normally supplied as a 69–70% aqueous solution. Compared to hydrogen peroxide and organic peracids, tert-butyl hydroperoxide is less reactive and more soluble in organic solvents. Overall, it is renowned for the convenient handling properties of its solutions. Its solutions in organic solvents are highly stable.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cumene hydroperoxide</span> Aromatic organic chemical compound

Cumene hydroperoxide is the organic compound with the formula C6H5C(CH3)2OOH. An oily liquid, it is classified as an organic hydroperoxide. Products of decomposition of cumene hydroperoxide are methylstyrene, acetophenone, and 2-Phenyl-2-propanol.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Azoxybenzene</span> Chemical compound

Azoxybenzene is organic compound with the formula C6H5N(O)NC6H5. It is a yellow, low-melting solid. The molecule has a planar C2N2O core. The N-N and N-O bond lengths are nearly the same at 1.23 Å.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Metal peroxide</span>

Metal peroxides are metal-containing compounds with ionically- or covalently-bonded peroxide (O2−
2
) groups. This large family of compounds can be divided into ionic and covalent peroxide. The first class mostly contains the peroxides of the alkali and alkaline earth metals whereas the covalent peroxides are represented by such compounds as hydrogen peroxide and peroxymonosulfuric acid (H2SO5). In contrast to the purely ionic character of alkali metal peroxides, peroxides of transition metals have a more covalent character.

In chemistry, the Halcon process refers to technology for the production of propylene oxide by oxidation of propylene with tert-butyl hydroperoxide. The reaction requires metal catalysts, which typically contain molybdenum:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ethylbenzene hydroperoxide</span> Chemical compound

Ethylbenzene hydroperoxide is the organic compound with the formula C6H5CH(O2H)CH3. A colorless liquid, EBHP is a common hydroperoxide. It has been used as an O-atom donor in organic synthesis. It is chiral. Together with tert-butyl hydroperoxide and cumene hydroperoxide, ethylbenzene hydroperoxide is important commercially.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dicumyl peroxide</span> Chemical compound

Dicumyl peroxide is an organic compound with the formula (C6H5CMe2O)2 (Me = CH3). Classified as a dialky peroxide, it is produced on a large scale industrially for use as an initiator for the production of low density polyethylene.

References

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