Straight chain alkylated aromatic compounds

Aromatic compounds containing straight-chain alkyl groups can also be synthesized by the Wurtz-Fittig reaction the two methods are complementary. 

Scope of the Problem. Petroleum hydrocarbons are the principal components in a wide variety of commercial products (e.g., gasoline, fuel oils, lubricating oils, solvents, mineral spirits, mineral oils, and crude oil). Because of widespread use, disposal, and spills, environmental contamination is relatively common. It is important to understand that petroleum products are complex mixtures, typically containing hundreds of compounds. These include various amounts of aliphatic compounds (straight-chain, branched-chain, and cyclic alkanes and alkenes) and aromatic compounds (benzene and alkyl benzenes, naphthalenes, and PAHs). In addition, many petroleum products contain nonhydrocarbon additives such as alcohols, ethers, metals, and other chemicals that may affect the toxicity of the mixture. 

Alkaline hydrolysis of a variety of organic compounds nitration of chlorobenzene alkylation of benzene with straight-chain olefins reduction of aromatic nitro compounds to corresponding aromatic amines with aqueous NajS or Na2Sj. 

Acid and base extractions from this material have been shown to form spontaneous structures in solution termed coercevates that could easily form the basis for protypical membranes (more of this in Chapter 9). Hydrocarbons with chain lengths C15-C30 (both straight and branched chains) and of course PAHs, predominantly pyrene and fluoranthrene, polar hydrocarbons such as aromatic ketones, alkyl and aryl ketones, nitrogen and sulphur heterocycles and most intriguingly purine and pyrimidine analogues have all been observed from this rich carbonaceous cocktail of compounds. Why ... 

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