Trimerization catalysts

The second order in catalyst points to the involvement of two chromium salen molecules in the transition state complex. Therefore several dimeric species were synthesised with suitable linkers the dimeric catalysts gave reaction rates that were one or two orders of magnitude higher than that of the monomeric catalyst. Trimeric species gave still higher reaction rates The... 

Catalyst Trimer-Product Distribution (11/12/13/14/15/16/other) Yield (%) of Trimers ... 

The purpose of the present investigation was to study the trimerization of aromatic nitriles under the conventional resin/fiber composite fabrication conditions using p-toluenesulfonic acid as a catalyst. Trimerization parameters investigated included reaction temperature, pressure, time, and concentration of catalyst. The influence of the nature of aromatic nitriles on trimerization was also studied. Also presented are preliminary results on the use of the catalytic trimerization of the nitrile-terminated imide oligomers to fabricate graphite fiber reinforced composites. 

Dimerization is the main path. However, trimerization to form 1.3,6,10-dodecatetraene (15) takes place with certain Pd complexes in the absence of a phosphine ligand. The reaction in benzene at 50 C using 7r-allylpalladium acetate as a catalyst yielded 1,3,6,10-dodecatetraene (15) with a selectivity of 79% at a conversion of 30% based on butadiene in 22 h[ 19,20]. 1,3,7-Octatriene (7) is dimerized to 1,5,7,10.15-hexadecapentaene (16) with 70% selectivity by using bis-rr-allylpalladium. On the other hand. 9-allyl-l,4,6.12-tridecatetraene (17) is formed as the main product when PI13P is added in a 1 1. ratio[21]. 

Polymerization. Paraldehyde, 2,4,6-trimethyl-1,3-5-trioxane [123-63-7] a cycHc trimer of acetaldehyde, is formed when a mineral acid, such as sulfuric, phosphoric, or hydrochloric acid, is added to acetaldehyde (45). Paraldehyde can also be formed continuously by feeding Hquid acetaldehyde at 15—20°C over an acid ion-exchange resin (46). Depolymerization of paraldehyde occurs in the presence of acid catalysts (47) after neutralization with sodium acetate, acetaldehyde and paraldehyde are recovered by distillation. Paraldehyde is a colorless Hquid, boiling at 125.35°C at 101 kPa (1 atm). 

Miscellaneous Reactions. Sodium bisulfite adds to acetaldehyde to form a white crystalline addition compound, insoluble in ethyl alcohol and ether. This bisulfite addition compound is frequendy used to isolate and purify acetaldehyde, which may be regenerated with dilute acid. Hydrocyanic acid adds to acetaldehyde in the presence of an alkaU catalyst to form cyanohydrin the cyanohydrin may also be prepared from sodium cyanide and the bisulfite addition compound. Acrylonittile [107-13-1] (qv) can be made from acetaldehyde and hydrocyanic acid by heating the cyanohydrin that is formed to 600—700°C (77). Alanine [302-72-7] can be prepared by the reaction of an ammonium salt and an alkaU metal cyanide with acetaldehyde this is a general method for the preparation of a-amino acids called the Strecker amino acids synthesis. Grignard reagents add readily to acetaldehyde, the final product being a secondary alcohol. Thioacetaldehyde [2765-04-0] is formed by reaction of acetaldehyde with hydrogen sulfide thioacetaldehyde polymerizes readily to the trimer. 

Nickel halide complexes with amines give mixtures of linear polymer and cychc trimers (30). Nickel chelates give up to 40% of linear polymer (31). When heated with ammonia over cadmium calcium phosphate catalysts, propargyl alcohol gives a mixture of pyridines (32). 

Catalysis is usually accompHshed through the use of tertiary amines such as triethylenediamine. Other catalysts such as 2,4,6-/m(/V,/V-dimethylaminomethyl)phenol are used in the presence of high levels of cmde MDI to promote trimerization of the isocyanate and thus form isocyanurate ring stmctures. These groups are more thermally stable than the urethane stmcture and hence are desirable for improved flammabiUty resistance (236). Some urethane content is desirable for improved physical properties such as abrasion resistance. 

Oligomerization and Polymerization Reactions. One special feature of isocyanates is their propensity to dimerize and trimerize. Aromatic isocyanates, especially, are known to undergo these reactions in the absence of a catalyst. The dimerization product bears a strong dependency on both the reactivity and stmcture of the starting isocyanate. For example, aryl isocyanates dimerize, in the presence of phosphoms-based catalysts, by a crosswise addition to the C=N bond of the NCO group to yield a symmetrical dimer (15). 

Dimerization is reportedly catalyzed by pyridine [110-86-1] and phosphines. Trialkylphosphines have been shown to catalyze the conversion of dimer iato trimer upon prolonged standing (2,57). Pyridines and other basic catalysts are less selective because the required iacrease ia temperature causes trimerization to compete with dimerization. The gradual conversion of dimer to trimer ia the catalyzed dimerization reaction can be explained by the assumption of equiUbria between dimer and polar catalyst—dimer iatermediates. The polar iatermediates react with excess isocyanate to yield trimer. Factors, such as charge stabilization ia the polar iatermediate and its lifetime or steric requirement, are reported to be important. For these reasons, it is not currently feasible to predict the efficiency of dimer formation given a particular catalyst. 

Both alkyl and aryl isocyanates are found to trimerize upon heating or ia the preseace of catalysts to 1,3,5-trisubstituted hexahydro-j -triaziaetrioaes (18) (isocyanurates) (57). Only highly substituted isocyanates, such as tert-huty isocyanate [7188-38-7] and tert-octy isocyanate, fail to trimerize under these conditions. 

Commercially, polymeric MDI is trimerized duting the manufacture of rigid foam to provide improved thermal stabiUty and flammabiUty performance. Numerous catalysts are known to promote the reaction. Tertiary amines and alkaU salts of carboxyUc acids are among the most effective. The common step ia all catalyzed trimerizations is the activatioa of the C=N double boad of the isocyanate group. The example (18) highlights the alkoxide assisted formation of the cycHc dimer and the importance of the subsequent iatermediates. Similar oligomerization steps have beea described previously for other catalysts (61). 

Strong bases, such as potassium acetate, potassium 2-ethylhexoate, or amine—epoxide combinations are the most useful trimerization catalysts. Also, some special tertiary amines, such as 2,4,6-tns(A7,A7-dimethylarninomethyl)phenol (DMT-30) (6), l,3,5-tris(3-dimethylaminopropyl)hexahydro-j -triazine (7), and ammonium salts (Dabco TMR) (8) are good trimerization catalysts. 

Reaction between butadiene and CO2 has been extensively studied (171) since the reaction was first demonstrated (167—170). This reaction has been shown to be catalyzed by Pd (172,173), Ni (174), Ru (175), Pt (178), and Rh (172,173) catalysts. Products include gamma (5) and delta lactones (6), acids (7,8), and esters (9). Mechanistic studies have shown that butadiene initially forms a dimer (Pd, Ru, Ni) or trimer (Rh) intermediate followed by CO2 insertion (171). The fate of these intermediates depends on the metal, the ligands, and the reaction conditions. 

Highly Branched Acids. These acids, called neoacids, are produced from highly branched olefins, carbon monoxide, and an acid catalyst such as sulfuric acid, hydrogen fluoride, or boron trifluoride. 2,2,2-Trimethylacetic acid (pivaUc acid) is made from isobutylene and neodecanoic acid is produced from propylene trimer (see Carboxylic Acids, trialkylacetic acids). 

Organic Derivatives. Although numerous mono-, di-, and trisubstituted organic derivatives of cyanuric and isocyanuric acids appear in the hterature, many are not accessible via cyanuric acid. Cyanuric chloride 2,4,6-trichloro-j -triazine [108-77-0], is generally employed as the intermediate to most cyanurates. Trisubstituted isocyanurates can also be produced by trimerization of either aUphatic or aromatic isocyanates with appropriate catalysts (46) (see Isocyanates, organic). Alkylation of CA generally produces trisubstituted isocyanurates even when a deUberate attempt is made to produce mono- or disubstituted derivatives. There are exceptions, as in the production of mono-2-aminoethyl isocyanurate [18503-66-7] in nearly quantitative yield by reaction of CA and azitidine in DMF (47). 

The isocyanurate reaction occurs when three equivalents of isocyanate react to form a six-membered ring, as shown in the fifth item of Fig. 1. Isocyanurate linkages are usually more stable than urethane linkages. Model compound studies show no degradation of the trimer of phenyl isocyanate below 270°C [10,11]. Catalysts are usually needed to form the isocyanurate bond. Alkali metals of carboxylic acids, such as potassium acetate, various quaternary ammonium salts, and even potassium or sodium hydroxide, are most commonly used as catalysts for the isocyanurate reaction. However, many others will work as well [12]. 

The main use of acrolein is to produce acrylic acid and its esters. Acrolein is also an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and herhicides. It may also he used to produce glycerol hy reaction with isopropanol (discussed later in this chapter). 2-Hexanedial, which could he a precursor for adipic acid and hexamethylene-diamine, may he prepared from acrolein Tail to tail dimenization of acrolein using ruthenium catalyst produces trans-2-hexanedial. The trimer, trans-6-hydroxy-5-formyl-2,7-octadienal is coproduced. Acrolein, may also he a precursor for 1,3-propanediol. Hydrolysis of acrolein produces 3-hydroxypropionalde-hyde which could he hydrogenated to 1,3-propanediol. ... 

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