Question

Which of the following are used as free radical chain initiators ?

• A. Benzoyl peroxide
• B. di-tert-butyl peroxide
• C. Carbon tetrachloride
• D. Benzoquinone

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (B)

Benzoyl peroxide
di-tert-butyl peroxide

A radical initiator is a species that acts as the reactant of the initiation step of a radical chain reaction but does not participate in any of the propagation steps.
Radical initiators are substances that can produce radical species under mild conditions and promote radical reaction. These substances generally possess weak bonds that have small bond dissociation energy. Radical initiators are utilized in industrial processes such as polymer synthesis. Typical examples are halogen molecules, azo compounds and organic and inorganic peroxides such as Benzoyl peroxide, di- t-Butyl peroxide.