Boron trifluoride → Cumene

Participants

Reaction Steps

A commercial mixture of 16 g (0.1 mol) diisopropylbenzene containing about 60% of the para and 40% of the ortho isomer, is dissolved in 150 ml of anhydrous hydrogen fluoride. The reaction mixture is cooled to -20 to 0° and saturated, while stirred, with boron trifluoride. After stirring at this temperature for 30 min., the temperature is raised and HF and BF3 is distilled off, (which can be reused). After washing, neutralization and drying, the organic layer is separated, distilled and analyzed by gas liquid chromatography. The diisopropylbenzene fraction consists of 99% meta-diisopropylbenzene and 1% para-diisopropylbenzene. Cumene and 1,3,5-triisopropylbenzene are also formed, as products of disproportionation, amounting to about 20%.

Provenance & Evidence