AMYLENE-DIMER

AMYLENE DIMER (16736-42-8) Forms explosive mixture with air (flash point 118°F/48°C). Reacts violently with strong oxidizers. Flow or agitation of substance may generate electrostatic charges due to low conductivity ground all equipment containing this material. On small fires, use dry chemical powder (such as Purple-K-Powder), alcohol-resistant foam, or CO2 extinguishers. 

Blends of piperylenes and amylenes (mixed 2-methyl-1-butene and 2-methyl-2-butene) or UOP propylene dimers can be adjusted to produce softening points of 0—100°C and weight average molecular weights of <1200 (32,33). Careful control of the diolefin/branched olefin ratio is the key to consistent resin properties (34). 

Shah et al. (1994) have studied the preparation of a class of compounds called Indans, by cross-dimerization of AMS with amylenes, using an ion-exchange resin and acid-treated clay catalysts (Eqns. (12) and (13)). Indans can be subsequently converted, e.g. by acetylation, into perfumric compounds having mu.sk odour. For example, 1,1,2,3,3-pentamethylindan, the product obtained by cross-dimerization of AMS and wo-amylene (Eqn. (12)), can be reacted with propylene oxide and /7 ra-formaldehyde to give an indan type isochroman musk compound, 6-oxa-l,l,2,3,3,8-hexamethyl-2,3,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-lH-benz(f)-indene, sold as Galaxolide commercially. 

The primary reactions in the alkylation of isobutane produce octanes from butylenes, heptanes from propylene, and nonanes from amylenes. Also, when dimer and trimer polymers of isobutylene are used with isobutane, the polymer is broken down during the reaction, and the resulting products are branched chain octanes similar to those produced when isobutylene is charged. Sulfuric acid consumption is somewhat higher for the diisobutylenes, however, and there are more side reactions than for isobutylene. 

The primary source of isoprene today is as a by-product in the production of ethylene via naphtha cracking. A solvent extraction process is employed. Much less isoprene is produced in the crackers than butadiene, so the availability of isoprene is much more limited. Isoprene also may be produced by the catalytic dehydrogenation of amylenes, which are available in C-5 refinery streams. It also can be produced from propylene by a dimerization process, followed by isomerization and steam cracking. A third route involves the use of acetone and acetylene, produced from coal via calcium carbide. The resulting 3-methyl-butyne-3-ol is hydrogenated to methyl butanol and subsequently dehydrogenated to give isoprene. The plants that were built on these last two processes have been shut down, evidently because of the relatively low cost of the extraction route. 

Presently, isoprene is being produced via the dehydrogenation of amylenes.the cracking of propylene dimer, (6,7,8) and by the isolation from refinery streams.(9,10,11). Isoprene production... 

Figure 6.24 Three processes for obtaining isoprene Process 1 petroleum cracking Process 2 dimerization of propylene Process 3 dehydrogenation of amylenes...

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