Tetrachlorocyclopentadienone O-Oxide, a Facile Oxygen-Atom-Transfer Reagent: The Disproportionation of Cycloalkyldioxyl Radicals

Article abstract of DOI:10.1246/bcsj.71.1397

Photolysis of tetrachlorodiazocyclopentadiene (1) in oxygen-saturated hydrocarbon solvents results in the transient formation of tetrachlorocyclopentadienone O-oxide (3). This rapidly decomposes, giving rise to products derived from oxidation of the hydrocarbons. Cyclopentane, cyclopentene, cycloheptane, cycloheptene, cycloheptatriene, and indene have been studied. Cycloheptatriene and indene gave only low yields of tractable products, but the others gave the corresponding ketones and secondary alcohols as the major products. Although yields varied considerably, the ketone and alcohol products were always obtained, within experimental error, in a 1 : 1 molar ratio. This observed product ratio supports the disproportionation of cycloalkyldioxyl radicals as a crucial step.