Tellurium compounds with ozone

When primary alkyl phenyl tellurium or secondary alkyl phenyl tellurium compounds in methanol were treated with an excess of 3-chloroperoxybenzoic acid at 20, the phenyltelluro group was eliminated and replaced by a methoxy group. This reaction, which converts alkyl halides used in the synthesis of alkyl phenyl telluriums to alkyl methyl ethers, produced the ethers in yields as high as 90%3-4 Olefins are by-products in these reactions4 With ethanol as the solvent, ethyl ethers were formed. Other oxidizing agents (hydrogen peroxide, ozone, (ert.-butyl hydroperoxide, sodium periodate) did not produce alkyl methyl ethers. 

Toxicity rules out selenium and tellurium compounds, which have also been reported to have antiozonant activity. Several theories have appeared in the literature regarding the mechanism of protection by p-PDA antiozonants. The scavenger theory states that the antiozonant diffuses to the surface and preferentially reacts with ozone, with the result that the rubber is not attacked until the antiozonant is exhausted. 

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