Hydrocarbons hydrodimerization

Formally related reactions are observed when anthracene [210] or arylole-fines [211-213] are reduced in the presence of carboxylic acid derivatives such as anhydrides, esters, amides, or nitriles. Under these conditions, mono- or diacylated compounds are obtained. It is interesting to note that the yield of acylated products largely depends on the counterion of the reduced hydrocarbon species. It is especially high when lithium is used, which is supposed to prevent hydrodimerization of the carboxylic acid by ion-pair formation. In contrast to alkylation, acylation is assumed to prefer an Sn2 mechanism. However, it is not clear if the radical anion or the dianion are the reactive species. The addition of nitriles is usually followed by hydrolysis of the resulting ketimines [211-213]. 

CathodicaUy reduced hydrocarbons not only undergo homogeneous ET and nucleophilic attack but also coupling reactions resulting in hydrodimerization and polymerization. 

Zeolite catalysts in many forms are used for important commercial processes. The studies were extended to L zeolites, mordenite, erionite, and dealuminated faujasites and mordenites. More attention is paid now to zeolites with univalent and multivalent cations and to multicomponent catalysts. Among these some important examples are the tellurium-containing catalyst for hydrocarbon dehydrocyclization (42), the difunctional Ni- and Pd-zeolite catalysts for benzene hydrodimerization to phenylcyclohexane (42), the catalyst for the hydrogenation of phenol cyclohexanol (44), the 4% Ni/NaY which forms butanol, 2-ethylhexanol, 2-ethylhexanal, and 2-ethylhexanol from a mixture of n-butyraldehyde and hydrogen. 

Lithium naphthalene and sodium naphthalene (11) in solvents such as THF, diglyme, or aliphatic amines were found to be effective agents for the hydrodimerization of isoprene. Although this reaction is not strictly catalytic, it contributes to a better understanding of the base-catalyzed oligomerization of unsaturated conjugated hydrocarbons. 

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