Vinylcyclohexenes

Production of ethylbenzene from butadiene has been iavestigated by many researchers. It consists of two steps cyclodimerization of 1,3-butadiene to 4-vinylcyclohexene and dehydrogenation of the vinylcyclohexene to ethylbenzene. 

When the Diels-Alder reaction between butadiene and itself is carried out in the presence of alkah metal hydroxide or carbonate (such as KOH, Na2C02, and K CO on alumina or magnesia supports) dehydrogenation of the product, vinylcyclohexene, to ethylben2ene can occur at the same time (134). The same reaction can take place on simple metal oxides like Zr02, MgO, CaO, SrO, and BaO (135). 

The thermally induced Diels-Alder dimerization reaction producing vinylcyclohexene is very difficult to prevent except by lowering the storage... 

Other mechanisms Dibutyl phthalate Benzidine-based dyes Vinylcyclohexene... 

When buta-1,3-diene 3 is irradiated in the presence of a photosensitizer (e.g. benzophenone), the isomeric divinylcyclobutanes 6 and 7 are formed via the intermediate diradical species 4 and 5 respectively in addition the [4 + 2] cycloaddition product 4-vinylcyclohexene (see Diels-Alder reaction) is obtained as a side product ... 

The process which was developed hy DOW involves cyclodimerization of hutadiene over a proprietary copper-loaded zeolite catalyst at moderate temperature and pressure (100°C and 250 psig). To increase the yield, the cyclodimerization step takes place in a liquid phase process over the catalyst. Selectivity for vinylcyclohexene (VCH) was over 99%. In the second step VCH is oxidized with oxygen over a proprietary oxide catalyst in presence of steam. Conversion over 90% and selectivity to styrene of 92% could he achieved. ... 

The use of zeolites is particularly advantageous for self-Diels-Alder reactions of gaseous dienes because it reduces the polymerization of the reactant. An example is the cyclodimerization of 1,3-butadiene to 4-vinylcyclohexene [20a] carried out at 250 °C with satisfactory conversion when non-acidic zeolites, such as large-pore zeolites Na-ZSM-20, Na- S and Na-Y, are used. 

The thermal instability of 37 reduces its applicability with poorly reactive dienes such as vinylcyclohexene and its derivatives 38, unless high pressure (HP) is employed. Ultrasound is not only effective in promoting the cycloaddition of 37 with 38, but sometimes also improves the regioselectivity. Some data are illustrated in Table 4.8 and compared with cycloadditions in refluxing benzene and under high pressure. The reactions of 37 with reactive dienes such as cyclopentadiene and l-(trimethylsiloxy)-1,3-butadiene give a good yield of type D adducts under mild conditions, while with less reactive dienes, such as isoprene and butadiene, poor results are obtained. 

Studies on Diels-Alder reactions of 1,3,3-trimethyl-2-vinylcyclohexene with 2-cyclo-hexenones [89]... 

Overman, Hehre and coworkers reported anti rr-fadal selectivity in Diels-Alder reactions of vinylcyclopenten 73, 74 and 4,5-dihydro-3-etliynylthiophen S-oxide 75 [38] (Scheme 31). These results are not in agreement with the Cieplak effect, at least in Diels-Alder reactions of the dienes having unsymmetrical rr-plane. Yadav and coworkers reported that the reactions between the vinylcyclohexene 76 and dienophiles favor the reactions syn to oxygen, while 77 and 78 favor the reaction anti to oxygen substituents [39], They discuss the Cieplak effect but the reactions are not suitable. 

Figure 10.1. Reaction scheme for the formation of cyclobutanes (S) and (9) and vinylcyclohexene (13) from butadiene.

As the triplet energy of the sensitizer becomes less than that necessary to excite the trans-diene triplet, energy transfer to the cis triplet becomes increasingly important and the product derived from this state (vinylcyclohexene) increases proportionally. This explanation is summarized in Figure 10.1.(11>14)... 

The Dow corporation has recently developed constrained geometry addition polymerization catalysts (CGCT), typically Me2Si(C5Me4)(NBut)MCl2 (M = Ti, Zr, Hf) (141) activated with MAO. The homo-polymerization of a-olefins by CGCT afford atactic or somewhat syndiotactic (polypropylene rr 69%) polymers. The metal center of the catalyst opens the coordination sphere and enables the co-polymerization of ethylene to take place, not only with common monomers such as propylene, butene, hexene, and octene, but also with sterically hindered a-olefins such as styrene and 4-vinylcyclohexene [202]. 

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