p-Methylbenzyl hydroperoxide was prepared by the free radical-induced oxidation of p- xylene with molecular oxygen at 120-130”. Because of a competing reaction consisting in the fusion of two p-methylbenzyl radicals to form a crystalline hydrocarbon, the oxidation does not proceed by a chain mechanism. Isolation of the hydroperoxide was based on its solubility in dilute alkali. The hydroperoxide in a neutral solution is thermally stable up to ...
