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U.S. Department of Energy
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Thermal reactions of 1-methylindole

Journal Article · · Rep. Invest. - U.S., Bur. Mines; (United States)
OSTI ID:5738131

This U.S. Bureau of Mines report describes a continuation of a study of the thermal reactions of nitrogen compounds similar to those found in shale oil. The pyrroles previously studied have boiling points in the naphtha range (up to 200$C). Approximately 35 mole-% of the compounds in shale oil boiling between 100$ and 595$C consist of nitrogen compounds, and about 7 mole-% of these nitrogen compound are indoles and quinolines. The present study was started to obtain more information about possible reactions that may occur in oil-shale retorting involving higher boiling pyrrolic types of compounds. 1-Methylindole was chosen for the study, because it is the only 1-substituted indole that is a liquid (bp 242$C). The thermal reactions of 1-methylindole were studied in the temperature range of 525$ to 627$C in a flow reactor. The major products consisted of 2-methylindole, 3-methylindole, indole, quinoline, hydrogen, and methane. 2-Methylindole is formed from 1-methylindole by an irreversible isomerization indole, the equilibrium favoring the 3-methyl isomer. Indole is formed directly from 1-methylindole. Quinoline is formed from 1-methylindole, 2-methylindole, and 3-methylindole. (10 refs.)

OSTI ID:
5738131
Journal Information:
Rep. Invest. - U.S., Bur. Mines; (United States), Journal Name: Rep. Invest. - U.S., Bur. Mines; (United States) Vol. 7529; ISSN XBMIA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English