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Low temperature hydrogenation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH's) by tetralin in a molten salt catalyst

Conference · · Prepr. Pap. - Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Fuel Chem.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6041031

The reactions of phenanthrene, pyrene, anthracene, and naphthacene (tetracene) with tetralin at 80/sup 0/C in neat aprotic SbCl/sub 3/ were studied by in situ /sup 1/H NMR and by determining the reaction stoichiometry via product analysis following quench and separation procedures. Pyrene and phenanthrene did not react with tetralin in the neat SbCl/sub 3/, but anthracene and naphthacene reacted very rapidly and are slightly hydrogenated to 9,10-dihydroanthracene and 5,12 dihydronaphthacene. The product distribution and the reaction stoichiometry were found to depend on the amount of tetralin initially present. Knowledge of electron spin resonance studies indicating that phenanthrene and pyrene are not oxidized by SbCl/sub 3/ to radical cations but that the more easily oxidized polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), anthracene and naphthacene do not form radical cations in SbCl/sub 3/ and the observation of redox driven reactions in SbCl/sub 3/ in which Sb/sup 3 +/ acts as an oxidant, combine to suggest that the unusual low temperature hydrogenation reactions reported herein proceed via reaction of the PAH radical cation with tetralin. (BLM)

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-26
OSTI ID:
6041031
Report Number(s):
CONF-810813-(Absts)
Journal Information:
Prepr. Pap. - Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Fuel Chem.; (United States), Journal Name: Prepr. Pap. - Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Fuel Chem.; (United States) Vol. 26:3; ISSN ACFPA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English