Decomposition of alkyl hydroperoxide by a copper(I) complex: insights from density functional theory

The B3LYP theory and scaled hypersphere search method are utilized to explore pathways of (HO)2PS2Cu-mediated CH3OOH decomposition, a model reaction of alkyl hydroperoxide with cuprous dialkyldithiophosphate [(RO)2PS2Cu]. It is found that the decomposition of CH3OOH mediated by the copper(I) complex may lead to formaldehyde and water molecules via O–O bond heterolysis and subsequent intramolecular hydrogen transfer, with retainment of the copper(I) complex. The subsequent hydrogen transfer event and formation of water may add new understanding to the (RO)2PS2Cu-mediated decomposition process of alkyl hydroperoxide. The oxygen transfer from CH3OOH to (HO)2PS2Cu moiety, as an O–O bond cleavage manner of CH3OOH, is also found to occur.