Di-tert-butyl peroxide or DTBP is an organic compound consisting of a peroxide group bonded to two tert-butyl groups. It is one of the most stable organic peroxides, due to the tert-butyl groups being bulky. It is a colorless liquid.
Reactions The peroxide bond undergoes homolysis at temperatures above 100 °C. For this reason di-tert-butyl peroxide is commonly used as a radical initiator in organic synthesis and polymer chemistry. The decomposition reaction proceeds via the generation of methyl radicals. (CH3)3COOC(CH3)3 → 2 (CH3)3CO• (CH3)3CO• → (CH3)2CO + 2 → C2H6
DTBP can in principle be used in engines where oxygen is limited, since the molecule supplies both the oxidizer and the fuel.
Safety DTBP is an irritant to the nose, eyes, and skin. It is also flammable, and can explode unpredictably at high (≈150 °C) temperatures.Sime, Rodney J. (13 June 1988). "Di-tert-butyl peroxide" (letter to the editor), in Chemical & Engineering News, p. 4.
See also tert-Butyl hydroperoxide Bis(trimethylsilyl) peroxide
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