The preparation and thermal chemistry of 4-methyl-4-(1-propeny1) malonyl peroxide (3) is described. Thermolysis in acetonitrile at 84" C gives 2, 4-dimethylbut-2-en-4-olide in 45% yield and an oligomeric ester derived from an intermediate a-lactone in 55% yield. The reaction of 3 can be catalyzed by aromatic hydrocarbons such as perylene. Under these conditions weak chemiluminescence results. The mechanism for light generation is ...
