Isobutane oxidation process

Non-catalytic liquid phase oxidation of isobutane with molecular oxygen to produce tertiary butyl alcohol and tertiary butyl hydroperoxide, at an oxidation reaction temperature of about 125.degree. C. to 155.degree. C. and an oxidation reaction pressure of about 350 psia (24 atm) to 800 psia (55 atm), wherein the improvement comprises:

• forming an initial reaction mixture comprising 50 wt % or more isobutane, 10 wt % or more tertiary butyl alcohol and 0.05 wt % to 0.5 wt % ditertiary butyl peroxide,
• adding molecular oxygen to the initial reaction mixture at the oxidation reaction pressure and heating to a reaction initiation temperature of 135.degree. C. to 155.degree. C.,
• thereby forming a steady state reaction mixture containing 10 wt % or more tertiary butyl hydroperoxide in 2 hours to 5 hours.