Decomposition kinetics of cobalt complexes of phenoxy radicals studied by EPR method

Abstract

In bimolecular homolytic substitution reactions type SH2 between coordinated peroxy radicals [Co(III)]RO2 and partially hindered bisphenol 4,4'-thiobis-(3-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol) (an antioxidant with commercial name Santonox R) in non-polar medium at room temperature an equilibrium is established between free and Co(III)-coordinated phenoxy radicals. Increasing temperature shifts the equilibrium in favour of the decomplexed free radicals. The complexation-decomplexation process of phenoxy radicals is practically reversible up to 90°C. Polar coordinating solvents (methanol, H2O, diethyl ether, tetrahydrofurane) displace irreversibly the radicals from the complexes. From their decomposition kinetics at various temperatures activation energy of decomplexation by methanol has been determined (110 ± 8 kJ mol-1). The displaced free partially hindered phenoxy radicals are not sufficiently stable and undergo subsequent radical transformations (dimerization, intramolecular and intermolecular H-transfer) with effective activation energy about 67 kJ mol-1.