STRUCTURAL CRITERIA FOR CHEMILUMINESCENCE IN ACYL PEROXIDE DECOMPOSITION REACTIONS

Abstract

Abstract— A group of new moderately bright chemiluminescent reactions is reported involving decomposition of certain acyl peroxide derivatives. The new chemilurninescent reactions are compared to other acyl peroxide decompositions which are not strongly chemiluminescent (Chart I). The results are interpreted in terms of a concerted multiple bond cleavage peroxide decomposition mechanism, where the simultaneous formation of at least two stable molecules is suggested to be the source of the substantial energy required for the formation of an excited reaction product in chernilurninescence.