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Updated: Oct 2, 2026

Original Experimental Approach for Assessing Transport Fuel Stability
Published on: October 21, 2016
Direct evidence for base-mediated decomposition of alkyl hydroperoxides (ROOH) in the gas phase
Stephen J Blanksby1, G Barney Ellison, Veronica M Bierbaum
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA.
Abstract:
The reaction of F(-) with CH(3)OOH has been studied in the gas phase using a tandem flowing afterglow-selected ion flow tube apparatus. The reaction is rapid (k = 1.23 x 10(-9) cm(3) s(-1), 49% efficiency), and formation of HO(-) + CH(2)O + HF is the major reaction channel observed (85%). Isotopic labeling, reactions of F(-) with larger alkyl hydroperoxides, and computational studies demonstrate that the major product ion, HO(-), is formed via a concerted elimination mechanism that appears to be general to all alkyl hydroperoxides possessing an alpha-hydrogen. This mechanism represents a base-mediated decomposition of alkyl hydroperoxides in the gas phase that may have important implications for solution and biochemical reactions. The reverse reaction, CH(3)OO(-) + HF is also efficient (k = 2.43 x 10(-9) cm(3) s(-1)). The major product ensemble HO(-) + CH(2)O + HF (81%) is identical to that of the forward reaction, and represents a novel neutral-catalyzed decomposition of the anion.
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