The autoxidation of tetralin

The autoxidation of tetralin can be photosensitized by suitable vat dyes. This reaction can therefore be investigated by standard photochemical techniques. The kinetics have in this way been shown to conform to the scheme suggested by Bolland & Gee (1946) for autoxidations. The absolute velocity constants for the elementary processes have been evaluated, and the activation energies and frequency factors estimated (table 4). The frequency factors of free radical reactions in solution have been discussed. It is suggested that the ‘normal’ frequency factor for such a reaction is about 107. It is pointed out that the techniques described in this paper should be generally applicable to the study of free radical reactions in solution.