MOLTEN SALT CATALYSIS. SELECTIVE BOND CLEAVAGE REACTIONS FOR SOME alpha , omega -DIPHENYLALKANES IN SbCl3 MELTS.

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/ja00347a053

The chemistry of the alpha , omega -diphenylalkanes, C//6H//5(CH//2)//nC//6H//5 left bracket n equals 1-4 right bracket , in highly purified anhydrous SbCl//3 and SbCl//3-10 mol % AlCl//3 melts has been investigated from 100 to 130 degree C by in situ **1H NMR spectroscopy and by quench and separation techniques. These substrates, which are often used to model the aliphatic chains that link aromatic and hydroaromatic clusters in coal, are found to undergo selective cleavage of the sp**2-sp**3 bond. For n equals 1 and 2 products are formed via a transaralyklation reaction, while for n equals 3 and 4 the cleavage results in the selective production of only benzene and either indan (n equals 3) or tetralin (n equals 4). Toluene is also reactive in SbCl//3-AlCl//3, and typical transalkylation chemistry is observed.