hydroperoksideja

Hydroperoksideja are chemical compounds that contain the hydroperoxy functional group (-OOH). In organic chemistry they have the general formula ROOH, where R is an alkyl, aryl, or other substituent. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is the simplest member of this class and is sometimes described as a hydroperoxide.

The O–O bond in hydroperoxides is relatively weak, and the hydroperoxy group can undergo homolytic cleavage to form reactive radicals. This makes hydroperoxides useful as radical initiators in polymerizations and as oxidants in organic synthesis, but it also makes many of them unstable and potentially hazardous. Thermal decomposition or contact with metals, impurities, or shock can lead to rapid, exothermic reactions.

Formation and occurrence: Hydroperoxides are often formed unintentionally by autoxidation of hydrocarbons in the presence of oxygen, especially under heat or light. Industrially important examples include cumene hydroperoxide (from cumene) and tert-butyl hydroperoxide. Cumene hydroperoxide is an intermediate in the production of phenol and acetone.

Synthesis and handling: In the laboratory, hydroperoxides can be prepared by oxidation of alkanes or allylic substrates, or by oxidation of alcohols under controlled conditions. Due to instability, many hydroperoxides are stored at low temperature with stabilizers and in appropriate solvents, away from reducing agents and metals.

Applications and safety: They are used as initiators for radical polymerizations and as oxidants in organic synthesis. In biology, lipid hydroperoxides form during lipid peroxidation and are indicators of oxidative stress. Related topics include organic peroxides and lipid peroxidation.