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

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6197084

The reaction behavior of phenanthrene, pyrene, anthracene, and naphthacene (tetracene) with tetralin were studied at 80/sup 0/C in aprotic SbCl/sub 3/ by in situ /sup 1/H NMR, and by determining the reaction stoichiometry via product analysis following quench and separation procedures. Anthracene and naphthacene were hydrogenated by tetralin in SbCl/sub 3/, but phenanthrene and pyrene were unreactive. A previous ESR study by the authors showed that phenanthrene and pyrene are not oxidized by SbCl/sub 3/ to radical cations, but the more easily oxidized anthracene and naphthacene do form radical cations is SbCl/sub 3/. These results suggest that the unusual low temperature hydrogenation reactions reported here proceed via reaction of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon radical cation with tetralin.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-26
OSTI ID:
6197084
Report Number(s):
CONF-810813-12; ON: DE81028061
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English