Titanium tetra-tert-butoxide-tert-butyl hydroperoxide oxidizing system: Physicochemical and chemical aspects

The reaction of titanium tetra-tert-butoxide with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (1: 2) (C6H6, 20 C) involves the steps of formation of the titanium-containing peroxide (t-BuO)3TiOOBu-t and peroxytrioxide (t-BuO)3TiOOOBu-t. The latter decomposes with the release of oxygen, often in the singlet form, and also homolytically with cleavage of both peroxy bonds. The corresponding alkoxy and peroxy radicals were identified by ESR using spin traps. The title system oxidizes organic substrates under mild conditions. Depending on the substrate structure, the active oxidant species can be titanium-containing peroxide, peroxytrioxide, and oxygen generated by the system.