Dioxetane formation in the phenol-inhibited oxidation of hydrocarbons

The structures and energies of possible products of the reaction between the phenoxy radical OAr • and dioxygen are calculated using the PM6 semiempirical method. The possible adducts are the peroxyl radical OArOO • and dioxetane radicals. The latter are the cyclization products resulting from the addition of the terminal atom of OArOO • to a carbon atom of the Ar ring. This reaction is nearly thermoneutral and is, therefore, likely.