Methylstyrenes

The phenylation of styrene with phenyl Grignard reagents as a hard carbon nucleophile proceeds in 75% yield in the presence of PdCl2, LiCl, and K2CO3 at room temperature to give stilbene (207). Selection of the solvent is crucial and the best results are obtained in MeCN. The reaction can be made catalytic by the use of CuCl2[197]. Methyllithium reacts with styrene in the presence of Pd(acac)2 or Pd(OAc)2 to give /3-methylstyrene (208) in 90% yield[198]. 

Indene derivatives 264a and 264b are formed by the intramolecular reaction of 3-methyl-3-phenyl-l-butene (263a) and 3,3,3-triphenylpropylene (263b) [237]. Two phenyl groups are introduced into the /3-substituted -methylstyrene 265 to form the /3-substituted /3-diphenylmethylstyrene 267 via 266 in one step[238]. Allyl acetate reacts with benzene to give 3-phenylcinnamaldehyde (269) by acyl—O bond fission. The primary product 268 was obtained in a trace amount[239]. 

SAN modifier [ACRYLONITRILE POLYMERS - SURVEY AND SAN (STYRENE-ACRYLONITRILECO-POLYMERS)] (Vol 1) Poly( a-methylstyrene) [25014-31-7]... 

After cleavage the reaction mass is a mixture of phenol, acetone, and a variety of other products such as cumylphenols, acetophenone, dimethyl-phenylcarbinol, a-methylstyrene, and hydroxyacetone. It may be neutralised with a sodium phenoxide solution (20) or other suitable base or ion-exchange resins. Process water may be added to facilitate removal of any inorganic salts. The product may then go through a separation and a wash stage, or go direcdy to a distillation tower. 

The yield of acetone from the cumene/phenol process is beUeved to average 94%. By-products include significant amounts of a-methylstyrene [98-83-9] and acetophenone [98-86-2] as well as small amounts of hydroxyacetone [116-09-6] and mesityl oxide [141-79-7]. By-product yields vary with the producer. The a-methylstyrene may be hydrogenated to cumene for recycle or recovered for monomer use. Yields of phenol and acetone decline by 3.5—5.5% when the a-methylstyrene is not recycled (21). 

Eriedel-Crafts reaction of naphthalene or tetrahydronaphthalene derivatives with those of styrene or alkylbenzenes has been used in the preparation of high viscous fluids for traction drive (195). Similarly, Eriedel-Crafts reaction of tetraline and a-methylstyrene followed by catalytic hydrogenation provided l-(l-decalyl)-2-cyclohexyl propane, which is used as a highly heat resistant fluid (196). 

Hydrocarbon resins (qv) are prepared by copolymerization of vinyltoluene, styrene, and a-methylstyrene in the presence of a Eriedel-Crafts catalyst (AlCl ). These resins are compatible with wax and ethylene—vinyl acetate copolymer (197). 

With the improvement of refining and purification techniques, many pure olefinic monomers are available for polymerization. Under Lewis acid polymerization, such as with boron trifluoride, very light colored resins are routinely produced. These resins are based on monomers such as styrene, a-methylstryene, and vinyltoluene (mixed meta- and i ra-methylstyrene). More recently, purified i ra-methylstyrene has become commercially available and is used in resin synthesis. Low molecular weight thermoplastic resins produced from pure styrene have been available since the mid-1940s resins obtained from substituted styrenes are more recent. 

Aromatic. Aromatic feedstreams (C-8, C-9, C-10) derived from the steam cracking of petroleum distillates are composed of styrene, iadene, vinyltoluenes (eg, meta- and i ra-methylstyrene), and their respective alkylated analogues. A typical aromatic feedstream might contain 50% reactive olefins with the remainder being alkylated benzenes and higher aromatics. 

G-5—G-9 Aromatic Modified Aliphatic Petroleum Resins. Compatibihty with base polymers is an essential aspect of hydrocarbon resins in whatever appHcation they are used. As an example, piperylene—2-methyl-2-butene based resins are substantially inadequate in enhancing the tack of 1,3-butadiene—styrene based random and block copolymers in pressure sensitive adhesive appHcations. The copolymerization of a-methylstyrene with piperylenes effectively enhances the tack properties of styrene—butadiene copolymers and styrene—isoprene copolymers in adhesive appHcations (40,41). Introduction of aromaticity into hydrocarbon resins serves to increase the solubiHty parameter of resins, resulting in improved compatibiHty with base polymers. However, the nature of the aromatic monomer also serves as a handle for molecular weight and softening point control. 

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