Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-chemistry-course-of-the-year-4-of-the-natural-sciences-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2022/paper-2/section-a/19/b/solution
Past exam of the chemistry course of the year 4 of the natural sciences course of the University of Cambridge 2022 Paper 2 Section A 19 b Solution by
Codex 0 2026-10-20
Styrene, benzoyl peroxide and TEMPO provide the required radical addition–trapping sequence. Heating the peroxide breaks its O–O bond into benzoyloxy radicals. Before decarboxylation, can add to styrene's terminal carbon, generating the resonance-stabilized radical . Coupling with the oxygen-centred TEMPO radical then gives , the benzoate-protected alkoxyamine A.
The connectivity distinguishes this route from initiators that leave a carbon-based radical fragment at the chain end. Competition with benzoyloxy-radical decarboxylation affects yield, so this is a plausible preparation rather than a claim of exclusive product formation. Subsequent benzoate cleavage reveals B's hydroxyl group without requiring rupture of its alkoxyamine linkage.
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