; CATALYSIS ,,;'';': IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY BY PAUL SABATIER MEMBER OF THE INSTITUTE DEAN OF THE FACULTY OF SCIENCES OF TOULOUSE Translated by E. EMMET REID PROFESSOR OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY NEW YORK D. VAN NOSTRAND COMPANY EIGHT WARREN STREET 1922 COPYRIGHT; 1922 BY D. VAN NOSTRAND COMPANY Printed in the United States of America PREFACE BY his remarkable investigations on catalysis, Professor Sabatier has opened up new fields rich in scientific interest and fruitful in technical results. Catalytic hydrogenation will ever be an important chapter in chemistry. He is a teacher as well as an investigator and has done an important service in collecting from scattered sources a vast amount of information about catalysis and bringing the facts together in convenient and suggestive form in his book. I deem it a privilege to render his masterly work more accessible to English- speaking chemists. The text and the unsigned footnotes represent Professor Sabatier r s work as closely as I can make them. I have retained the charac- teristic italics. I have added a few notes which are signed by those responsible for them. In this connection I wish to thank my friends, among them Dr. Gibbs, Dr. Ittner, Dr. Adkins, and Dr. Richardson, for assistance, Professor Gomberg for verifying a number of Russian references, and Professor H. H. Lloyd for aid in proofreading. To the chapter on the theory of catalysis, I have added an illumi- nating extension by Professor Bancroft, Chairman of the Committee on Catalysis of the National Research Council. In order to make the vast amount of detailed information in the book more readily available, I have prepared a subject index of some seven thousand entries and an author index of about eleven hundred names. It is a pleasure to present a brief sketch of his life and abounding activities. I have taken great pains to check the hundreds of references, but doubtless errors will be found. Corrections of any kind will be appreciated if sent me. E. EMMET REID. JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY, BALTIMORE, MD. August, 1921. 500 Ml TABLE OF CONTENTS [References are to Paragraphs] CHAPTER I CATALYSIS IN GENERAL DEFINITION OP CATALYSIS 1 HISTORICAL 4 DIVERSITY IN CATALYSIS 5 Homogeneous systems 6 Heterogeneous systems 7 AUTOCATALYSIS 8 NEGATIVE CATALYSIS 9 Stabilizers 13 Reversal of Catalytic Reactions 14 Reversible reactions, Limits 19 Velocity oj Catalytic Reactions 23 Influence of Temperature 24 Influence of Pressure 30 Influence of Mass of Catalyst 32 CHAPTER II ON CATALYSTS Solvents 36 DIVERSE MATERIALS CAN CAUSE CATALYSIS 41 Elements as Catalysts 42 Non-metals 43 Metals . . , 50 Nickel, Conditions of Preparation 63 Copper 59 Platinum, Various Forms used 61 Colloidal Metals, Methods of Preparation 67 Oxides as Catalysts 73 Water 73 Metallic Oxides 75 Influence of their Physical State 76 Mineral Acids 81 Bases 83 Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides, Iodides 84 Cyanides 95 Inorganic Salts of Oxygen Acids 96 Various Compounds 104 DURATION OF THE ACTION OF CATALYSTS Ill Poisoning of Nickel 112 Poisoning of Platinum 116 Fouling of Catalysts 118 Regeneration of Catalysts 123 Mixture oj Catalysts with Inert Materials 126 vii viii CONTENTS CHAPTER III MECHANISM OF CATALYSIS Ideas of Berzelius 129 Physical Theory oj Catalysis 131 Properties of Wood Charcoal 131 Heat of Imbibition 133 Absorption of Gas by finely divided Metals 135 Physical Interpretation of their Catalytic Role 138 Insufficiency of the Physical Theory 141 Chemical Theory of Catalysis 145 Reciprocal Catalysis 146 Induced Catalysis 149 Auto-oxidations 150 Oxidation Catalysts 152 Catalysis with Isolatable Intermediate Compounds 156 Action of Iodine in Chlorination 156 Catalysis in the Lead Chamber 158 Action of Sulphuric Acid on Alcohols 159 Method of Squibb 161 Use of Copper in Oxidations 162 Action of Nickel on Carbon Monoxide 163 Catalysis without Isolatable Intermediate Compounds 164 Hydrogenation with Finely Divided Metals 165 Dehydration with Anhydrous Oxides 169 Decompositions of Acids 171 The Friedel and Crafts Reaction 173 The Action of Acids and Bases in Hydrolysis 175 Advantages of the Theory of Temporary Combinations 180 Theories of Catalysis by W. D. BANCROFT 180a CHAPTER IV ISOMERIZATION POLYMERIZATION DEPOLYMERIZATION CONDENSATIONS BY ADDITION 1. Isomerization 181 Changes of Geometrical Isomers 182 Changes of Optical Isomers 186 Migration of Double and Triple Bonds 190 Decyclizations 193 Cyclizations and Transformations of Rings 194 Migration of Atoms 199 2. Polymerizations 209 Ethylene Hydrocarbons 210 Acetylene Hydrocarbons 212 Cyclic Hydrocarbons 216 Aldehydes 218 AJdolization 219 Polyaldehydes 222 Passage into Esters . 225 Ketones 229 Nitriles and Amides 230 3. Depolymerizations 234 4. Condensation by the Addition of Dissimilar Molecules 236 CONTENTS ix Aldehydes and Nitro-Compounds 236 Ketones 238 Acetylation of Aldehydes 240 Hydrocarbons 241 CHAPTER V OXIDATIONS I. Direct Oxidation with Gaseous Oxygen 244 Classification of Direct Oxidations 244 Platinum and Related Metals 245 Copper 253 Various Metals 254 Carbon 257 Metallic Oxides 258 Metallic Chlorides 263 Manganese Salts 264 Oxidation of Oils 265 Silicates 267 II. Oxidation effected by Oxygen Compounds 268 Hydrogen Peroxide 268 Nitric Acid 269 Hypochlorites 270 Chlorates 271 Sulphur Trioxide 272 Permanganates 275 Persulphates : 276 Nitrobenzene 277 CHAPTER VI VARIOUS SUBSTITUTIONS IN MOLECULES 1. Introduction of Halogens 278 Chlorination 278 Iodine 278 Bromine 279 Sulphur 280 Phosphorus 281 Carbon 282 Metallic Chlorides 283 Aluminum Bromide 289 Bromination 290 Iodine 291 Manganese 292 Metallic Chlorides or Bromides 293 lodination 294 2. Introduction of Sulphur 295 3. Introduction of Sulphur Dioxide 297 4. Introduction of Carbon Monoxide 298 5. Introduction of Metallic Atoms 299 Formation of Alcoholates 299 Formation of Organo-magnesium Complexes 300 x CONTENTS CHAPTER VII Hydration Classification of Hydrations ............................................. 305 Addition of Water .................................................... 306 Ethylene Compounds ................................................ 306 Acetylene Derivatives ................................................ 308 Nitriles and Imides .................................................. 311 Addition of Water with Decomposition, in Liquid Medium .......... 313 Hydrolysis of Esters .................................................... 313 Use of Acids ........................................................ 313 Use of Bases ......................................................... 318 Hydrolysis of Chlorine Derivatives .................................... 320 Ethers ................................................................. 321 Acetals ................................................................ 322 Polysaccharides ........................................................ 323 Glucosides ............................................................. 327 Amides and their Analogs .............................................. 331 Addition of Water with Decomposition, in Gaseous Medium ....... 337 Hydrolysis of Esters ................................................. 337 Ethers ............................................................... 338 Carbon Disulphide ................................................... 339 Alcoholysis ........................................................... 340 CHAPTER HYDROGENATION Hydrogenation in Gaseous System, Generalities, Use of Nickel ........ 342 Historical ............................................................ 342 Method of Sabatier and Senderens .................................... 343 Hydrogen Generator .................................................. 346 Reaction Tube ........................ ............................... 347 Introduction of the Substance ........................................ 350 Receiver for Collecting the Products .................................. 355 Hydrogenation over Nickel ............................................ 358 Duration of the Activity of the Metal ................................ 359 Choice of Reaction Temperature .................................... 361 RESULTS OF HYDROGENATION OVER NICKEL IN GASEOUS SYSTEM ............ 366 Reduction without addition of hydrogen ................................ 367 Nitrous Oxide .................................................. . ..... 368 Aromatic Alcohols .................................................... 369 Phenols and Polyphenols above 250 .................................. 370 Furfuryl Alcohol ..................................................... 371 Carbon Disulphide at 500 ............. ............................... 372 Reductions with Simultaneous Addition of Hydrogen .................... 373 Oxides of Nitrogen ................................... . ............... 374 Aliphatic Nitro Derivatives ........................................... 377 Aromatic Nitro Derivatives ........................................... 378 Nitrous Esters ....................................................... 382 Oximes .............................................................. 383 Aliphatic Amides ..................................................... 386 Ethyl Aceto-acetate .................................................. 387 Aromatic Aldehydes .................................................. 388 Aromatic Ketones .................................................... 389 Aromatic Diketones . ............................... 391 CONTENTS xi Anhydrides of Dibasic Acids 392 Carbon Monoxide 393 Carbon Dioxide 395 Application to the Manufacture of Illuminating Gas 397 Aromatic Halogen Derivatives 403 Halogenated Aliphatic Acids 407 CHAPTER IX HYDROGENATION (Continued) Hydrogenation in Gaseous System, Use of Nickel (Continued) 408 Addition of Hydrogen 408 1. Direct Addition oj Hydrogen to Carbon 409 2. Addition to Hydrogen at Ethylene Double Bond 412 Hydrocarbons 413 Unsaturated Alcohols 416 Esters 417 Ethers 418 Unsaturated Aldehydes 419 Unsaturated Ketones 420 Unsaturated Acids 422 3. Acetylene Triple Bond 423 4. Triple Bond between Carbon and Nitrogen 426 Aliphatic Nitriles 427 Aromatic Nitriles 428 Dicyanides 429 5. Quadruple Bond between Carbon and Nitrogen 430 Isocyanides ." 431 6. Double Bond between Carbon and Oxygen 432 Aliphatic Aldehydes 432 Aromatic Aldehydes 433 Pyromucic Aldehyde 434 Aliphatic Ketones 435 Cyclo-aliphatic Ketones 436 Ketone-acids 437 Diketones 438 Aromatic Ketones 441 Quinones 442 Ethylenic Oxides 443 7. The Aromatic Nucleus 444 Aromatic Hydrocarbons 446 Polycyclic Hydrocarbons 452 Aromatic Ketones 455 Phenols 456 Polyphenols 460 Phenolic Ethers 464 Aromatic Alcohols 465 Aromatic Amines 466 Aromatic Acids 471 8. Various Rings 472 Trimethylene Ring 472 Tetramethylene Ring 473 Pentamethylene Ring 474 Hexamethylene Ring 475 Terpenes 477 xii CONTENTS Heptamethylene Ring 479 Octomethylene Ring 480 Naphthalene Nucleus 481 Anthracene Nucleus 483 Phenanthrene Nucleus 484 Pyrrol 486 Pyridine 486 Quinoline 488 Carbazol 490 Acridine 491 9. Carbon Disulphide 492 HYDROGENATION WITH DECOMPOSITION 493 Hydrocarbons 493 Alcoholic or Phenolic Ethers 494 Phenyl Isocyanate 495 Amines 496 Diazo Compounds 497 Indol 497 CHAPTER X HYDROGENATION (Continued) 1. Hydrogenation in Gaseous System over Various Metals 498 Cobalt 499 Ethylenic Hydrocarbons 500 Acetylene 501 Benzene and its Homologs 502 Aldehydes and Ketones 503 Oxides of Carbon 504 Iron : 505 Ethylenic Hydrocarbons 506 Acetylene 506 Copper 507 Reduction of Carbon Dioxide 508 Nitro Derivatives 509 Nitrous Esters 513 Oximes 514 Ethylenic Compounds 515 Acetylene Compounds 518 Nitriles 521 Aldehydes and Ketones 522 Platinum 524 Combination of Carbon and Hydrogen 525 Ethylene Compounds 526 Acetylene Compounds 527 Hydrocyanic Acid 528 Nitro Derivatives 529 Aliphatic Aldehydes and Ketones 532 Aromatic Nucleus 534 Polymethylene Rings 535 Palladium 536 2. Hydrogenation by Nascent Hydrogen in Gaseous System 537 Use of Alcohol Vapors 538 Use of Formic Acid Vapors 539 Use of Carbon Monoxide and Water Vapor 540 CONTENTS xiii CHAPTER XI HYDROGENATION (Continued) Direct Hydrogenation of Liquids in Contact with Metal Catalysts . . 541 Historical 542 General Conditions of the Reaction 543 1. Method of Paal 544 Use of Colloidal Palladium 545 Reduction with Fixation of Hydrogen 545 Addition of Hydrogen 546 Application to Alkaloids 555 Use of Colloidal Platinum 556 2. Method of Willstatter 562 Method of Operating 562 Use of Platinum Black 562 Nitro Derivatives : 564 Ethylene Double Bonds 565 Acetylene Triple Bonds 566 Aldehydes and Ketones 567 The Aromatic Nucleus 569 Terpenes 570 Complex Rings 571 Use of Palladium Black 573 Reduction of Carbonates to Formates 574 Reduction of Acid Chlorides 575 Nitro Derivatives 576 Double and Triple Carbon Bonds 577 Cyclic Compounds 578 Use of other Metals of Platinum Group 580 CHAPTER XII HYDROGENATION (Continued) Direct Hydrogenation of Liquids in Contact with Metal Catalysts (Cont.) 584 3. Method of Ipatief 584 Apparatus Used 585 Use of Nickel 585 Formation of Methane 586 Ethylene Double Bonds 587 Aldehydes and Ketones 588 Aromatic Nucleus 589 Terpenes 591 Various Rings 592 Use of Iron 593 Use of Copper 594 Use of Other Metals 595 4. Hydrogenation of Liquids in Contact with Nickel under Low Pressures 596 Apparatus of Brochet 597 Alleged Activity of Oxides 598 Method of Operating 599 Results Obtained 60 Nitro Derivatives 60 xiv CONTENTS Ethylene Compounds 601 Aldehydes and Ketones 602 Various Rings 603 Use of Nascent Hydrogen in Liquid System in Contact with Metals 604 CHAPTER XIII VARIOUS ELIMINATIONS 1. Elimination of Halogens 605 2. Elimination of Nitrogen 606 Diazo Compounds 606 Hydrazine Derivatives 611 3. Elimination of Free Carbon 613 Decarbonization of Carbon Monoxide 614 4. Elimination of Carbon Monoxide 618 Action of Nickel 619 Action of Other Metals 621 5. Elimination pf Hydrogen Sulphide 626 Mercaptans 626 Thiophenols 629 Formation of Thioureas 630 6. Elimination of Ammonia 631 Action of Nickel on Aliphatic Amines 631 Phenylation of Aromatic Amines 632 Decomposition of Phenylhydrazones 633 7. Elimination of Aniline . 634 CHAPTER XIV DEHYDROGENATION Historical 636 Classification of Dehydrogenations 638 1. Dehydrogenation of Hydrocarbons 639 2. Dehydrogenation of Hydrocyclic Compounds 640 Cyclohexane Compounds 641 Hydrides of Naphthalene, Anthracene, etc 642 Terpenes 643 Piperidine 647 Action of Palladium 649 3. Dehydrogenation of Alcohols 650 Mechanism of the Decomposition of Alcohols 650 Use of Copper 653 Primary Alcohols, Preparation of Aldehydes 653 Secondary Alcohols, Preparation of Ketones 659 Use of Nickel 664 Use of Cobalt 666 Use of Iron 667 Use of Platinum 668 Use of Palladium 669 Use of Zinc 670 Use of other Substances 671 CONTENTS xv Manganous Oxide 672 Stannous Oxide 673 Cadmium Oxide 674 Other Oxides: their Classification 675 Case of Methyl Alcohol 676 Carbon 679 4. Dehydrogenation of Polyalcohols 680 5. Dehydrogenation of Amines 681 Primary Amines, Return to Nitrile 681 Secondary and Tertiary Amines 682 6. Synthesis of Amines 683 7. Ring Formation by Elimination of Hydrogen 684 Use of Nickel 684 Use of Aluminum Chloride 685 Use of Anhydrous Oxides 686 CHAPTER XV DEHYDRATION Dehydration Catalysts 687 1. Dehydration of Alcohols Alone 688 FORMATION OF ETHERS .. 690 In Liquid Medium 691 In Gaseous System 693 DEHYDRATION TO HYDROCARBONS 695 Reaction in Liquid Medium 695 Concentrated Mineral Acids 696 Zinc Chloride 698 Iodine 699 Reaction in Gaseous System 700 Elements 700 Anhydrous Metallic Oxides 702 Conditions which Regulate their Action 706 Alumina 713 Blue Oxide of Tungsten 715 Thoria 716 Metallic Salts 717 Case of Benzhydrol 720 Catalytic Passage of an Alcohol to a Hydrocarbon 721 Dehydration with Simultaneous Hydrogenation 722 DEHYDRATION OF POLYALCOHOLS 723 Reaction in Gaseous System 726 Ring Formation by the Dehydration oj Polyalcohols 727 CHAPTER XVI DEHYDRATION (Continued) 2. Dehydration of Alcohols with Hydrocarbons 728 3. Dehydration of Alcohols with Ammonia or Amines 729 Reaction in Liquid System 729 Reaction in Gaseous System 731 Mixed Amines 738 Alkyl-piperidinea 741 Pyrrol 742 xvi CONTENTS 4. Dehydration of Alcohols with Hydrogen Sulphide: Synthesis of Mercaptans 743 Comparison of the Activity of Various Oxides 743 5. Dehydration of Alcohols with Acids: Esterification 747 Catalytic Esterification in Liquid Medium 748 Use of Mineral Acids 749 Explanation of their Action 752 The Case of Glycerine 760 Use of Acetanhydride 761 Catalytic Esterification in Gaseous System 762 Mechanism of the Action of Oxides 763 Case of Benzoic Esters 766 Use of Titania 767 Laws of Esterification over Titania 770 Case of Formic Esters 773 Esterification Rates 775 Use of Berylia 778 6. Dehydration of Alcohols with Aldehydes or Ketones 779 Formation of Acetals 780 Formation of Hydrocarbons 784 CHAPTER XVII DEHYDRATION (Continued) 7. Dehydration of Phenols Alone 785 Preparation of Simple Phenol Ethers 787 Diphenylene Oxides 787 Mixed Phenol Ethers 788 8. Dehydration of Phenols with Alcohols: Synthesis of Alkyl Phenol Ethers 789 9. Dehydration of Phenols with Amines 790 10. Dehydration of Phenols with Hydrogen Sulphide : Formation of Thiophenols . 791 11. Dehydration of Phenols with Aldehydes 792 12. Formation of Phenolic Glucosides 793 13. Dehydration of Aldehydes or Ketones 794 Crotonization of Aldehydes Alone 795 Crotonization of Ketones Alone 797 Crotonization of Aldehydes with Ketones 798 Crotonization in Gaseous System 801 Dehydration of a Single Molecule 802 Condensation of Aldehydes or Ketones with Various Organic Mole- cules 803 14. Dehydration of Aldehydes or Ketones with Ammonia 807 15. Dehydration of Aldehydes with Hydrogen Sulphide 810 16. Dehydration of Amides 811 Formation of Nitriles 811 Transformation of Acid Chlorides into Nitriles 812 17. Dehydration of Oximes 814 18. Direct Sulphonation of Aromatic Compounds 815 19. Condensations by the Elimination of Alcohol 817 CONTENTS xvii CHAPTER XVIII DECOMPOSITION OF ACIDS Decomposition of Formic Acid 820 Dehydrogenation Catalysts 824 Dehydration Catalysts 825 Mixed Catalysts 826 Decomposition of Monobasic Organic Acids 829 Simple Elimination oj Carbon Dioxide 831 Aliphatic Acids 831 Aromatic Acids 834 Simultaneous Elimination oj Water and Carbon Dioxide 837 Preparation of Symmetrical Ketones 837 Use of Calcium Carbonate 839 Use of Alumina 840 Use of Zinc Oxide 841 Use of Cadmium Oxide 842 Use of the Oxides of Iron 843 Use of Thoria Use of Manganous Oxide 845 Use of Lithium Carbonate 846 Formation oj Ketones in Liquid Medium 847 Preparation oj Mixed Ketones 848 Preparation oj Aldehydes 851 Decomposition of Dibasic Acids 855 Decomposition of Acid Anhydrides 857 CHAPTER XIX DECOMPOSITION OF THE ESTERS OF ORGANIC ACIDS 1. Esters of Monobasic Acids 858 General Mechanism of this Catalysis 859 Case of Alumina 860 Case of Thoria 861 Case of Titania 863 Case of Benzoic Esters 864 Formic Esters 866 2. Decomposition of Esters with Ammonia 871 3. Esters of Dibasic Acids 872 CHAPTER XX ELIMINATION OF HALOGEN ACIDS OR SIMILAR MOLECULES 1. Separation of the Acid from a Single Molecule 876 Use of Anhydrous Metallic Chlorides 876 Mechanism of this Catalysis 878 Use of Oxides or Metals 881 2. Molecular Condensations by the Elimination of a Halogen Acid 883 Alkylation oj Aromatic Molecules 884 Method of Operating 884 Reversal of the Reaction 887 Results Obtained . 889 xviii CONTENTS Synthesis of Ketones 891 Method of Operating 892 Results Obtained 893 Formation oj Amides 895 Ring Formation 896 Mechanism oj the Reaction 898 Chlorides that may be Substituted for Aluminum Chloride 899 Formation oj Aromatic Amines by Hojmann's Reaction 901 Condensations in the Aliphatic Series 902 3. Separation of Alkaline Chloride, Bromide or Iodide 904 CHAPTER XXI DECOMPOSITION AND CONDENSATION OF HYDROCARBONS Action of Heat on Hydrocarbons 905 Cracking 906 Case of Benzene 907 Case of Petroleum 908 Case of Solvent Naphtha 909 Action of Catalysts 910 Paraffine Hydrocarbons 911 Ethylene Hydrocarbons 912 Acetylene Hydrocarbons, Acetylene 913 First Kind of Reaction 914 Second Kind of Reaction 916 Superposition of the Two Kinds 917 Cyclic Hydrocarbons 921 Terpenes 922 Reactions carried out in the Presence of Hydrogen 924 Case of Acetylene 925 Synthesis of Petroleums 926 Theory of the Origin of Petroleum 928 Action of Anhydrous Aluminum Chloride 929 Applications to the Treatment of Petroleum 932 Use of Finely Divided Metals 932 Use of Oxides 934 Use of Anhydrous Chlorides 935 APPENDIX TO CHAPTERS XI AND XII HYDROGENATION OF LIQUID FATS Nature of Liquid Fats 937 Iodine Number 938 History of Hydrogenation 939 Catalysts 941 Nickel 941 Use of the Oxides and Salts of Nickel 943 Palladium 946 Life of Catalysts 947 Neutralization of Oils 948 Troubles with Moisture 949 Amount of Catalysts 951 CONTENTS xix Temperature 952 Hydrogen 953 Process of Bergius 954 Volume of Hydrogen Required 955 Apparatus 957 Apparatus of Erdmann 958 Apparatus of Schwoerer 959 Apparatus of Schlinck 960 Apparatus of Wilbuschewitch 961 Apparatus of Ellis 962 Apparatus of Kayser 963 Apparatus of Woltman 964 Results 965 Physical Constants of Hardened Oils 966 PERIODICALS CITED AND THEIR ABBREVIATIONS Am. Chem. J. American Chemical Journal, Baltimore. Annalen. Annalen der Chemie und Pharmacie (Liebig's), Leipzig. Ann. Chim. Phys. Annales de chimie et de physique, Paris. Arch. Pharm. Archiv der Pharmacie, Berlin. Berichte Berichte der deutschen chemischen Gesellschaft, Berlin. Bull. Soc. Chim. Bulletin de la Societe chimique, Paris. Caoutchouc et G. Caoutchouc et gutta-percha, Paris. C. A. Chemical Abstracts, Columbus. C. or Chem. Centr. Chemisches Centralblatt, Leipzig. Chem. News Chemical News (The), London. Chem. Week. Chemisch Weekblad, Amsterdam. Chem. Zeit. Chemiker Zeilung, Cothen. Compt. rend. Comptes Rendus des Seances de I'Academie des Sciences de Paris, Paris. Dinglers Dinglers Polytechnischer Journal, Stuttgart. Gas Light. Gas Lighting, London. Gaz. Chim. Ital. Gazetta chimica italiana, Palermo. Gaz Le Gaz, Paris. Jahresb. Jahresberichte uber die Fortschritte der physischen Wissenschaften (von J. Berzelius), Tubingen. J. Am. Chem Soc. Journal oj the American Chemical Society, Easton. J. Chem. Ind. Tokio Journal oj Chemical Industry oj Japan, Tokio. J. Ind. Eng. Chem. Journal oj Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, New York. J. Chem. Soc. Journal oj the Chemical Society, London. J. Gas Light. Journal oj Gas Lighting, London. Jour. Off. Journal officiel de la Republique Franqaise, Paris. J. Pharm. Chim. Journal de Pharmacie et de Chimie, Paris. J. Phys. Chem. Journal oj Physical Chemistry, Ithaca. J. prakt. Chem. Journal fur praktische Chemie, Leipzig. J. Russ. Phys. Chem. Soc. Journal of the Russian Physico-Chemical Society, Petrograd. J. Soc. Chem. Ind. Journal of the Society of Chemical Industry, London. Lincei Atti della Reale accademia dei Lincei, Rome. Mat. grasses Matieres grasses, Paris. Monatsh. Monatshefte fur Chemie, Vienna. Nachr. Ges. der Wiss. Gottingen Nachrichten der koniglichen Gesellschafft der Wissenschaften, Gottingen. Phil. Mag. Philosophical Magazine, London. Proc. Roy. Soc. Proceedings of the Royal Society, London. Pogg. Ann. Annalen der Physik und Chemie (Poggendorf), Leipzig. Quart. J. Science American Journal of Science, New Haven. Rec. Trav. Chim. Pays-Baa Recueil des travaux chimiques des Pays-Bos, Leyden. Rev. Mois. Revue du Mois, Paris. Rev. gen de chim. pure et app. Revue generate de chimie pure et appUquee, Paris. Rev. Sci. Revue Scientifique, Paris. Sitz. Akad. Wien. Sitzungsberichte der mathematisch-naturwissenschaftUchen Klasse der kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften, Vienna. xxi xxii PERIODICALS CITED AND THEIR ABBREVIATIONS Seif. Zeit. Seijensieder Zeitung. Soc. Tech. Gaz. Societe technique de ^Industrie gaziere, Paris. Soc. Esp. Quim. Anales de la societad espanola de fisica y quimica, Madrid. Trans. Far. Soc. Transactions of the Faraday Society, London. Zeit. anorg. Chem. Zeitschrijt fur anorganische Chemie, Hamburg. Zeit. f. Chem. Kritische Zeitschrijt jur Chemie, Physik und Mathematik (Kekule), Heidelberg and Gottingen. Zeit. Elektroch. Zeitschrijt jur Elektrochemie, Halle. Z. phys. Chem. Zeitschrijt jur physikalische Chemie, Leipzig. INTRODUCTION PAUL SABATIER PAUL SABATIER was born at Carcassonne Nov. 5, 1854. Admitted at the same time to the Polytechnic and the Normal School in 1874, he chose the latter from which he went out in 1877 receiving the highest grade in the competitive examination for agregation de phy- sique. 1 After spending a year as Professor at the Lycee of Nimes, he became, in October, 1878, assistant to Berthelot at the College de France. In July, 1880, he received the degree of Doctor of Science, his thesis being on Metallic Sulphides. After having been Maitre de Conference in physics in the Faculty of Sciences at Bordeaux for more than a year, he took charge, in January, 1882, of the course in physics in the Faculty of Sciences of Toulouse which he was never to leave. Taking charge of the chemistry course at the end of 1883, he was made Professor of Chemistry November 24, 1884, a position which he still occupies. His chemical investigations are very numerous and touch various branches of that science: most of them have been published in the Comptes Rendus de I'Academie des Sciences, the Bulletin de la So- ciete Chimique, and the Annales de Chimie et de Phisique. His researches in physical chemistry stretch from 1879 to 1897 and comprise numerous thermochemical measurements (sulphides 1879-1881, chlorides 1889, chromates 1886, copper compounds 1896- 1897, etc.), a thorough study of the velocity of transformation of metaphosphoric acid (1887-1889), studies on absorption spectra (1886 and 1894), on the partition of a base between two acids (1886-1887), etc. In inorganic chemistry he has published numerous articles on metallic sulphides (1879-1880), the sulphides of boron and silicon (1880-1891), hydrogen disulphide (1886), the selenides of boron and silicon (1891), metallic chlorides (1881, 1894-1895), the chlorides (1881, 1888) and the bromide of copper (1896). A profound study of the oxides of nitrogen, which led to the characterization of metallic nitrides, was carried out (1897-1896) with the assistance of his pupil, 1 The agregation is a competitive examination which is considered extremely difficult. xxiv INTRODUCTION J. B. Senderens. He prepared the deep blue nitrosodisulphonic acid (1896-1897), defined the tetracupric salts (1897), and obtained the basic mixed argento-cupric salts (1897-1899) which formed the start- ing point for a whole series of analogous compounds which Mailhe prepared subsequently. His investigations in organic chemistry (starting in 1897) are the most important and include the general method of catalytic hydro- genation in contact with finely divided metals, which was awarded the Nobel prize for chemistry in 1912. The experiments involved in this as well as in the inverse dehydrogenation, were carried out with the aid of his successive pupils, J. B. Senderens (1899-1905), Alfonse Mailhe (1906-1919), Marcel Murat (1912-1914), Leo Espil (1914) and Georges Gaudion (1918-1919). The study of metallic oxides as catalysts led Sabatier with Mailhe to discover a whole series of methods of transforming alcohols and phenols into mercaptans, amines, ethers, esters, etc., and also trans- forming acids (1906-1914). At the same time he carried out, either with Mailhe or Murat, a large number of syntheses of hydrocarbons and alcohols of the cyclohexane series, etc. (1904-1915). In agricultural chemistry, Sabatier has published about fifteen memoirs on various subjects as well as Lessons on Agricultural Chemistry. The Academy of Sciences of Paris awarded him the Lacaze prize in 1897 and the Jecker prize in 1905 and elected him correspondent of the chemical section in 1901, then non-resident membre titulaire in April, 1913. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1912, Sa- batier received in 1915 the Davy Medal of the Royal Society of London of which he was elected a foreign member in 1918. He is also a foreign member of the Royal Institution, the Academy of Sciences of Amsterdam, the Academy of Sciences of Madrid, the Royal Society of Bohemia, etc. Profoundly attached to Toulouse, where he belonged to various local academies, Sabatier refused to leave his University to occupy the chair at the Sorbonne left vacant in 1907 by the death of Moissan. Dean of the Faculty of Sciences since 1905, he has created the three technical Institutes of Agriculture, of Chemistry and of Electro- technique which are thronged by a large number of students. Of CAUFGRMI; CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY CHAPTER I CATALYSIS IN GENERAL 1. BY catalysis we designate the mechanism by virtue of which certain chemical reactions are caused, or accelerated, by substances which do not appear to take any part in the reactions. A mixture of hydrogen and oxygen is stable at ordinary tempera- tures, but the introduction of a piece of platinum black causes im- mediate explosive combination; the platinum black is not visibly affected and can repeat the same effects indefinitely. 2. Hydrogen peroxide decomposes very slowly in cold water solu- tion, a 30 volume solution requiring more than 240 hours at 17 for 50% decomposition, but the addition of 0.06 g. platinum black to 20 cc. of such a solution causes a vigorous evolution of oxygen and reduces the period of half decomposition to 8 seconds at 14. x The platinum black, which does not seem to be altered, has by its presence enormously accelerated the reaction which normally takes place spontaneously but very slowly. 3. Substances which provoke or accelerate reactions without them- selves being altered are called catalysts. 4. History of Catalysis. The first scientific observation of a catalytic transformation appears to be due to Kirchhof, 2 who, in 1811, showed thatjnineral acids, in hot water solution, change starch into dextrine and sugar, without being themselves altered by the reaction. A short time afterwards, in 1817, Sir Humphrey Davy 8 observed that a slightly heated platinum spiral introduced into a mixture of air and a combustible gas, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, or hydro- cyanic acid, becomes incandescent and causes the slow oxidation of 1 LEMOINE, Compt. rend., 162, 657 (1916). 2 KIBCHHOF, Schweigger's Jour. 4, 108 (1812). 3 DAVY, H., Phil. Trans., 97, 45 (1817). 6 . CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY ' 2 the gas. In 1820 Edmond Davy 4 discovered that platinum black Itan; ignite Alcohol with which it is wetted. Platinum sponge also possesses this power of provoking reactions without undergoing any appreciable change, and in 1831, Pelegrin Phillips, 5 a vinegar manu- facturer of Bristol, took out an English patent on the use of plati- num sponge to oxidise by air the sulphur dioxide obtained by roast- ing pyrites, thus producing sulphur trioxide. This was the germ of the contact process for the manufacture of sulphuric acid, which required the labors of half a century to render it industrially practicable. In his masterful Treatise on Chemistry, Berzelius 6 discussed phenomena of this kind in which the presence of a material apparently having nothing to do with a reaction can yet cause that reaction to take place. Adopting a term which had been, used in the seventeenth century by Libavius 7 with a different meaning, he grouped these phenomena under the designation catalytic, from the Greek Ka.ra j down, and Avc^ loose, I unloose. 5. Diversity in Catalysis. The reactions in which catalysis is observed have multiplied with the advance of chemistry. They are extremely varied but can be divided into two distinct groups. 6. First we have catalysis in a homogeneous system, that is, where there is an intimate mixing of the various constituents, or at least between one of them and the catalyst that causes or accelerates the reaction. This is the case with the soluble ferments which are not considered in this treatise; it is also the case with water vapor in gaseous mixtures; with iodine, sulphur and various metal chlorides employed to aid chlorinations ; with mineral acids in aldolization or crotonization as well as in the formation or saponification of esters; with alkalies in saponification; with ferrous or manganous salts in oxidations; with zinc chloride in the dehydration of alcohol; with mercurous sulphate in the sulphonation of aromatic compounds; with anhydrous ether in the preparation of organo-magnesium complexes; and even doubtless, in the Friedel and Crafts reaction with aluminum chloride which is partially soluble in the liquids used. 7. The second group is that of heterogeneous systems in which, for example, a solid catalyst is brought into contact with gaseous or liquid systems capable of reacting. It acts only by its surface, if it is com- pact and remains so during the reaction; by all its mass if it is * DAVY, E., Schweigger's Jour. 34, 91 (1822); 38, 321 (1823). English patent 6,069 of 1831. 6 BERZELIUS, Traite de Chemie, I, 110 (1845). 7 LIBAVIUS, Alchemia, Lib. II, vol. I, chapters XXXIX and XL, Frankfort, 1611. 3 CATALYSIS IN GENERAL 10 porous, its surface then being extremely large as compared with its weight. The influence of the almost indefinite extension of the sur- face in the finely divided state is such that we are tempted to think of the catalytic activity of a material as belonging exclusively to that state (130). 8. Autocatalysis. Ostwald has designated by this term those reactions in which the products of the reactions accelerate the re- actions. Thus hydrogen and oxygen, rigorously dried, do not combine even at 1000, but if the combination is once started, the water vapor so formed greatly favors the reaction, rendering it excessively rapid and explosive. The decomposition of hydrogen selenide, 8 of arsine* and of stibine 10 are cases of autocatalysis, since the selenium, arsenic, and antimony set free accelerate the reactions when once they are started. Pure nitric acid acts only slowly on many pure metals, silver, cop- per, bismuth, cadmium, and mercury, but when once started, the reaction accelerates itself because nitrous fumes are produced which facilitate the attack so that the reaction may become violent. 11 We find further examples of autocatalysis in the spontaneous changes which certain organic nitro compounds undergo, e. g. powders with nitrocellulose as a base, such as powder B ; 12 these changes produce acid vapors which accelerate the decomposition. 9. Negative Catalysts. Certain materials, when present in a chemical system, exercise an unfavorable or retarding influence; such are negative catalysts, the presence of which increases rather than de- creases the chemical friction and may sometimes even paralyze the normal play of affinities. 10. For the present, it is convenient to place in this class sub- stances capable of altering positive catalysts so as to diminish their efficient action. As early as 1824, Turner 13 observed that traces of various sub- stances suppressed the catalytic activity of finely divided platinum and mentioned as such ammonium sulphide, carbon disulphide, and hydrogen sulphide. 8 BODENSTEIN, Zeit. physik. Chem., 29, 428 (1899). 9 COHEN, Zeit. physik. Chem., 20, 303 (1896). 10 STOCK and GUTTMANN, Berichte, 37, 901 (1904). BODENSTEIN, Ibid, p. 1361. 11 VELEY, Jour. Soc. Chem. Ind., 10, 204 (1891). 12 The French cannon powder which was used during the World War. It is pure nitrocellulose gelatinized by a mixture of 2 parts ether to 1 part alcohol. 18 TURNER, Pogg. Ann., 2, 210 (1824). 11 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 4 In the manufacture of sulphuric acid by the contact process the presence of vapors of mercury, phosphorus, and particularly arsenic in the gas is sufficient to impair rapidly and destroy ultimately the catalytic action of the platinized asbestos. In the use of finely divided nickel as a catalyst for direct hydro- genation, traces of chlorine, bromine, iodine, or sulphur compounds in the metal, in the hydrogen, or in the substance to be treated, suf- fice to prevent the reaction completely and somehow act as veritable poisons for the mineral ferment. 14 Many other substances, without being toxic to the nickel, which they do not seem to injure, can retard the hydrogenation by their presence, e. g. glycerine, various organic acids, etc. Examples will be given in Chapter II (112 et seq.). In hydrogenations with nickel, the presence of small amounts of carbon monoxide in the hydrogen exercises a marked retarding influence. 15 16 11. Negative catalysts, which by their presence, stabilize a chem- ical system and render its transformation more difficult, have been less studied than positive, but numerous examples may be given. It has long been known that hydrogen peroxide keeps better when slightly acid. The addition of a few hundredths of one per cent of sulphuric or hydrochloric acid to a 30 volume hydrogen peroxide considerably augments its stability. Thus at 65, pure hydrogen peroxide required 3.2 hours for 50 per cent decomposition but this was increased to 35 hours by the addition of 0.026 molecule of hydro- chloric acid. 1T The spontaneous oxidation of chloroform to carbonyl chloride is hindered by the presence of a little alcohol. Hydrocyanic acid is stabilized by traces of hydrochloric or sul- phuric acid. 18 In the oxidation of phenols by hydrogen peroxide in the presence of ferric chloride as catalyst, the reaction is retarded by the presence of mineral acids and even more by acetic, oxalic, and citric acids. 19 The formation of the organo-magnesium halides in the Grignard reaction is retarded by the presence of anisol, ethyl acetate, chloro- form or carbon disulphide (303). 14 SABATIER, Berichte, 44, 1984 (1911). 15 MAXTED, Chem. News, 117, 73 (1918). 16 Numerous quantitative experiments made by the translator in the Lab- oratory of Colgate and Company showed that catalytic nickel for hydrogenation is more injured, in use, by carbon monoxide than by any other catalyzer poison that is apt to be present. E. E. R. 17 LEMOINE, Compt. rend., 161, 47 (1915). 18 LDSBIG, Annalen, 18, 70 (1836). 19 COLIN and SENECHAL, Compt. rend., 153, 76 (1911). 5 CATALYSIS IN GENERAL 13 In the abstraction of halogens in the Wurtz or Fittig synthesis of hydrocarbons, benzene and petroleum ether exercise an unfavorable influence (605). In the very complex reaction of the vulcanization of rubber, in which a large number of substances have a beneficial effect (104 and 107), phenyl-hydrazine is a very marked negative catalyst. 20 12. Water which so often acts as a positive catalyst, can some- times retard or even prevent reactions. Moist hydrogen reduces nickel oxide less rapidly than dry. 21 The decomposition of oxalic acid by hot concentrated sulphuric acid is impeded by the addition of very small amounts of water. The time of decomposition, under the same conditions of heating, is more than trebled by the addition of 0.05% of water, while 1% of sulphur trioxide renders the reaction tumultuous. 22 The presence of a little water retards the decomposition of diazo- acetic ester in alcoholic solution. 23 Moisture retards the fixation of oxygen in the direct oxidation of unsaturated organic compounds in the presence of metallic catalysts. 24 The presence of traces of water hinders the attack on metallic aluminum by fatty acids and by methyl, butyl, amyl, and benzyl alcohols as well as by various monophenols, ordinary phenol, the cresoles and a- and ^g-naphthols. 25 13. In chemical systems in which autocatalysis takes place (8), the presence of substances which form stable compounds with the catalysts engendered during the reaction, hinders their effect. Hence such substances are stabilizers, or negative catalysts. In the action of nitric acid on metals, various oxidising agents, hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate, and chloric acid are negative catalysts because they hinder the accumulation of nitrous fumes by oxidising them to nitric acid and thus preventing their ac- tion as positive catalysts. With regard to powders having organic nitrates as bases (powder B, nitrogylcerine, etc.), all substances, such as amyl alcohol and diphenylamine, which are capable of fixing, either as salts or as esters, the acid products engendered by the slow spontaneous denitri- fication of such powders and which hasten their decomposition, are stabilizers. 20 PEACHEY, Jour. Soc. Chem. Ind., 36, 424 (1917). 21 SABATIER and ESPIL, Compt. rend., 158, 668 (1914). 22 BREDIG and FRABNKEL, Berichte, 39, 1756 (1906). 28 MILLAR, Zeit. physik. Chem., 85, 129 (1913). BRAUNE, Ibid., p. 170. SNETHLAGE, Ibid., p. 211. 2 * FOBJN, Zeit. anorg. Chem., 22, 1451 (1909). 28 SELIGMAN and WILLIAMS, J. Soc. Chem. Ind., 37, 159 (1918). 14 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 6 14. Inversion of Reactions. According to circumstances, cat- alysts are frequently able to work in inverse directions. We have seen above (2) that platinum black thrown into hydro- gen peroxide, induces its rapid decomposition with separation of oxygen. Inversely, platinum black serves to oxidise many substances, for example, alcohol which it transforms into aldehyde and acetic acid (244). It is now an oxidation catalyst and now a deoxidation catalyst. 15. At about 350, hydrogen and iodine vapor combine rapidly in contact with platinum sponge, 26 and at the same temperature and with the same catalyst, hydrogen iodide is dissociated. 27 Finely divided metals such as nickel reduced from the oxide, readily add hydrogen to hydrogenizable substances at 180; benzene is thus transformed into cyclohexane (446). On the contrary, the inverse effect is produced when cyclohexane vapor is passed over nickel at 300; hydrogen is eliminated and benzene is regenerated (641). Reduced copper which is capable of hydrogenating aldehydes to alcohols at 180 (522), dehydrogenates alcohols at 250 to produce aldehydes (653). The direct hydrogenation of nitriles over nickel at 180 readily furnishes primary amines (426) ; but inversely, nickel causes the de- composition of the amines at 350 into the nitriles and hydrogen (681). Platinum, nickel, and copper are thus catalysts of hydrogenation or of dehydrogenation as the case may be. 16. Phenol vapor passed over thoria at 450, is regularly dehy- drated to form phenyl oxide (786) ; but the same catalyst at the same temperature can bring about the splitting of phenyl oxide by water to regenerate phenol. 28 Hence thoria is at the same time a catalyst for hydration and for dehydration. 17. It is the same way with strong mineral acids, such as sulphuric and hydrochloric, which are equally capable of bringing about the addition of water as in the saponification of esters (313), or its elimination as in esterification (749). 18. Soluble ferments, such as emulsine, which are in reality true catalysts, acting in homogeneous system, easily decompose gluco- sides by hydration and are also capable of synthesizing glucosides by dehydration. Thus galactose treated with emulsine in concen- 2 CORENWINDER, Ann. Chim. Phys. (3), 34, 77 (1852). 27 HAUTEFEUILLE, Compt. rend., 64, 608 (1867). 28 SABATIER, and ESPIL, Bull Soc. Chim., (4), 15, 228 (1914). 7 CATALYSIS IN GENERAL 24 trated solution condenses by dehydration into galactobiose; the latter, on the contrary, in dilute solution, is hydrated by the emulsine to regenerate the galactose. 29 19. Reversible Reactions. In any reaction in which catalysts are able to activate the transformation in the two opposite directions, there results an equilibrium, the same limit being reached from either end. The catalyst only modifies the velocity of the opposing re- actions without essentially changing their character; consequently in reversible reactions, the location of the limit is not, in general, changed by the intervention of the catalyst, though the catalyst enormously shortens the time required to reach that limit. 20. Lemoine has verified this for hydriodic acid which immediately reaches its limit of decomposition, 19% at 350, in the presence of platinum sponge. Without a catalyst, at the same tem- perature, under 2 atmospheres pressure, the limit was 18.6% but was not reached till after 250 to 300 hours. 30 21. Berthelot arrived at the same conclusions with the esterifica- tion of alcohols by acetic acid. For equivalent amounts of ethyl alcohol and acetic acid, the limit of 66.6% esterification is not attained at room temperature till after the lapse of several years of contact: on the contrary, in the presence of traces of hydrochloric or sulphuric acids, the identical limit is reached in a few hours. 22. An immediate consequence of the foregoing is that, in rever- sible reactions, the location of the limit is independent of the nature of the catalyst. This has been verified for the condensation of acetaldehyde. Whatever causes its polymerization into paraldehyde (hydrochloric acid, sulphur dioxide, oxalic acid, or zinc sulphate, etc.) always transforms the same proportion. 81 23. Velocity of Catalyzed Reactions. The presence of a cat- alyst greatly influences the velocity of reactions. It is in order to examine the effect of: 1. Temperature, 2. Pressure, 3. Quantity of catalyst. 24. Temperature. Temperature plays a capital role in many catalytic reactions, just as it does in most chemical changes. They do not take place except above a certain temperature; the direct hydrogenation of benzene in the presence of nickel hardly takes place 29 BOURQUELOT and AUBRY, Compt. rend., 163, 60 (1916). 80 LEMOINE, Ann. Chim. Phys. (5), 12, 145 (1877). 81 TURBABA, Zeit. physik. Chem., 38, 505 (1901). 25 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 8 at all below 70, while that of ethylene begins as low as 30 (413), and that of acetylene goes on at room temperature (423). The decomposition of alcohol into ethylene and water by blue oxide of tungsten commences only at about 250 (709) ; the dehydra- tion of phenol to phenyl oxide by thoria requires a temperature above 400 (786). 25. Elevation of the temperature also increases greatly the velocity of reactions: in fact it is found that, in a large number of cases, this velocity is doubled when the temperature is raised 10. Reactions in which catalysts intervene do not escape the general rule and are greatly accelerated by elevation of temperature which is con- sequently favorable, so long as it does not greatly change the mech- anism of the reaction which, however, frequently happens. Thus catalytic hydrogenation is frequently replaced, above a certain tem- perature, by its reverse, catalytic dehydrogenation. 26. For example in the hydrogenation of benzene over nickel, the velocity of the formation of cyclohexane increases rapidly from 70, where it is very slow, up to 180-200, the most favorable tempera- ture. From there on it decreases as 300 is approached, at which this reaction no longer takes place, cyclohexane being, on the con- trary, decomposed into benzene and hydrogen or even into benzene and methane according to the equation: this latter reaction becoming more important as the temperature is raised. 3 * 27. In the hydrogenation of acetylene which takes place without complications at room temperature (423), elevation of temperature tends to introduce, by the side of the transformation into ethane, the condensation of acetylene into more complex molecules even to the formation of solid carbonaceous deposits (924). 28. In the dehydration of primary alcohols by contact with anhy- drous oxides, elevation of temperature tends to introduce or to accel- erate the reaction of dehydrogenation whereby aldehydes or com- pounds produced from them are formed (709). 29. Thus, by a judicious choice of reaction temperature, it is fre- quently possible to obtain, at will, various degrees of combination. For example, in the hydrogenation of anthracene over nickel, at 180, perhydroanthracene, C 14 H 24 , is obtained along with the dodecahydro- ; at 200 the octohydro- is prepared and at 260, the tetrahydro-. 33 82 SABATIER, and SENDERENS, Ann. CMm. Phys. (8), 4, 334 (1905). as GODCHOT, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8) 12, 468 (1907). 9 CATALYSIS IN GENERAL 34 30. Pressure. Increase of pressure can scarcely have any con- siderable effect except in gaseous systems or in heterogeneous systems having a gaseous phase. In such cases, it can be foreseen that it will have a beneficial effect in those cases in which the number of molecules is diminished in the reaction. 3 * This is the case in the hydrogenation of compounds containing an ethylene bond and prac- tical use is made of it in the hydrogenation of liquid fats (956) . Likewise in the direct hydrogenation of phenol by nickel, in the liquid system around 150, the formation of cyclohexanol is extremely slow in hydrogen at ordinary pressure, but, on the contrary, is rapid and complete under 15 atmospheres. 35 31. On the contrary, molecular decompositions such as the de- hydrogenation of alcohols into aldehydes or ketones, in contact with finely divided copper, are favored by a lowering of the pressure, which diminishes also the reverse reaction (653). 32. Quantity of Catalyst. We must at once distinguish between the two cases, whether the catalyst acts in homogeneous or hetero- geneous systems. In homogeneous systems, in which the catalyst remains in intimate mixture with the components of the reaction, it acts by its mass and its action increases with its concentration. In the manufacture of, sulphuric acid by the lead chamber process, in which oxides of nitrogen serve as the catalyst, the velocity is pro- portional to their concentration up to a certain limit. In the inversion of sugar solutions by mineral acids (324), and in the saponification of esters by the same agents (313), the active agents in the catalysis are the free hydrogen ions arising from the electrolytic dissociation of the acids and the velocity of the reaction is proportional to the concentration of these ions. In the catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide by small amounts of alkali, the rapidity of the decomposition is nearly pro- portional to the concentration of the alkali. 36 33. It is the same way with certain solid catalysts, iodine in the chlorination or organic compounds (278), and anhydrous aluminum chloride in the Friedel and Crafts reaction (883), which do not act till they have been dissolved in the liquids of the system to be trans- formed and then are comparable to liquid catalysts, with activity proportional to their concentration. 34. Heterogeneous systems are much more frequently met with: 8 * DARZENS, Bull. Soc. Ckim. (4), 15, 588 (1914). 35 BROCKET, Ibid. (4), 15, 554 (1914). 86 LEMOINE, Compt. rend., 161, 47 (1915). 36 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 10 the catalyst in such is a solid phase in a liquid or gaseous medium and exercises its useful power only on its surface. The action, at first sight, depends on the extent of the surface, or at least on the mass of an extremely thin layer. A layer of silver 0.0002 mm. thick, de- posited on glass, causes a very rapid decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. 37 35. Solid catalysts are more active the greater their surface, and, for the same weight, the finer their grains; but there is, by no means, a rigorous proportionality between the activity and the extent of surface. In liquids, convection currents which bring the material to be transformed into more or less perfect contact with the catalysts, have an important influence on the rate of the reaction, but one dif- ficult to estimate. If the mixture is kept perfectly homogeneous, the active surface of a given catalyst, made up of grains of the same size, should be proportional to the number of grains, that is to say, to the total mass, but should increase very rapidly as the grains become smaller. For a solid catalyst acting in a gaseous system, the incessant and very rapid movement of the gas particles is sufficient to assure the homogeneity of the system. The activity of the catalyst, if it is in a very thin layer, is proportional to the area of this layer. If the layer is thick, not only the surface particles act but also those within, the effect of the interior particles being more important, in propor- tion as the grains which compose the catalytic material are lighter and less agglomerated. With a solid in a fine powder, which is readily penetrated by the gas, the useful surface is extremely large as compared with the exterior surface of the layer. The state of division of a solid catalyst is a matter of prime importance. The catalytic power of nickel in sheets or even in thin foil is quite minute and of no practical value, while it is highly developed in the finely divided nickel which is obtained by reducing nickel oxide by hydro- gen, below red heat, and particularly so when the oxide obtained by dehydration of nickel hydroxide is itself finely divided. From this point of view, there are great differences in various catalysts according to the conditions of their preparation (see Chapter II). 87 LEMOINE, Ibid., 155, 15 (1912). CHAPTER II ON CATALYSTS 36. As chemistry has developed, the number of catalytic phe- nomena has increased enormously and it has been recognized that the role of catalyst is played, not by a few bodies only but by a mul- titude of substances of every sortr 37. Solvents. The definition proposed by Ostwald, "A catalyst is a substance which, without appearing in the final product, influ- ences the velocity of a reaction," leads us to consider an infinite num- ber of substances as catalysts. Solvents, whatever their nature, are catalysts since they do not appear in the equation of the reaction which they cause to take place. In the absence of a liquid which dissolves them and thus realizes the contact which is indispensable to combination, solid substances which have no appreciable vapor pressure in the cold, are incapable of reacting with each other. Dry crystals of oxalic acid and chromic anhydride can be mixed cold without any chemical change, but the addition of water which establishes perfect contact between the two substances, immediately starts the oxidation of the oxalic acid at the expense of the chromic anhydride. The water may be recovered completely and unchanged by the reaction. It acts as a catalyst. 38. The nature of the solvent can change greatly the velocity of reactions which take place in it, and furthermore, the influence which it exercises is absolutely special in each case. Water is a true catalyst in the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. 1 In the fixation of hydrogen, by colloidal palladium, upon the acet- ylene triple bond, the, solvent has an important influence of its own. 2 The combination of triethyl-amine with ethyl iodide to form tetraethyl-ammonium iodide at 100, is 203 times as rapid in ethyl alcohol, 718 times in acetophenone, and 742 times in benzyl alcohol, as it is in hexane. 3 1 LEMOINE, Compt. rend., 155, 9 (1912). 2 ZAI/KIND and PISCHIKOV, Jour. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 46, 1527 (1914), C. A., 9, 2067. 8 MBNSCHTJTKIN, Zeit. phys. Chem., i, 611 (1887); 6, 41 (1890). 11 39 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 12 39. In reversible reactions, the limit will not be altered by a change of solvent if this does not react in any way with either the reactants or the products: otherwise the limit will be modified. For example, in reactions between electrolytes, brought about in alcohol or in water, electrolytic dissociation is of great influence in case water is the solvent. 40. Solvents are not commonly classed with true catalysts as this designation is usually reserved for those substances which act in small concentration and of which a small quantity is able to cause large quantities of other materials to react. DIVERSE SUBSTANCES CAN ACT AS CATALYSTS 41. The number of substances capable of acting as catalysts, is already very large and continues to increase with the progress of chemistry. We find in this class the most varied materials: elements, oxides, mineral acids, bases, metallic chlorides, bromides, iodides, fluorides and oxygen salts, ammonia and its derivatives, and diverse organic compounds. But, particularly for solids, the catalytic activity can vary greatly according to their origin, either if they can exist in dis- tinct molecular forms, or, more frequently, if they present them- selves in different states of sub-division (32). ELEMENTS AS CATALYSTS 42. Elements which are of themselves true catalysts, maintaining themselves unchanged during the course of the reactions which they provoke, are quite numerous and it is convenient to consider along with them those which pass immediately into compounds which act as catalysts. This is the case with chlorine, bromine, iodine, tel- lurium, sulphur, and phosphorus among the non-metals and tin, antimony, and thallium among the metals. 43. Chlorine and Bromine. These probably act by the im- mediate formation of the hydro-acids, to transform aldehydes into the polymeric paraldehydes. 44. Iodine. Iodine acts in the same way in the same reactions. It is frequently employed in chlorinations, and acts then by trans- forming itself into the trichloride which is the real factor in the ca- talysis. It permits the direct sulphuration of aromatic amines with the elimination of hydrogen sulphide (296). It can aid in causing 13 ON CATALYSTS 49 the condensation of aromatic amines with naphthols (790) . It serves also to facilitate the reaction in the preparation of the organo- magnesium halides of the Grignard reagent, when it is desired to pre- pare these from chlorides or bromides (302). 45. Sulphur and Tellurium. Employed as carriers in chlorina- tion, they certainly act in consequence of the initial formation of an equivalent amount of the chlorides. Tellurium has been proposed as an agent in direct oxidation (251). 46. Phosphorus. Red phosphorus has been mentioned as a catalyst for the dehydration of alcohols above 200 (699). The chief factor in this catalysis appears to us to be the small quantity of acids of phosphorus which exist in the phosphorus or which are produced from it by the oxidising effect of the alcohol. 47. Antimony, Tin and Thallium. Their use in chlorination is based on the primary formation of their perchlorides. 48. Carbon. All the porous forms of carbon have been employed as catalysts. The carbonaceous mass obtained by calcining blood with potas- sium carbonate is a good catalyst for chlorination. 4 Animal charcoal is a mediocre catalyst for the dehydration of alcohols (699) , but is efficient in the preparation of carbonyl chloride from carbon monoxide and chlorine (282). Coke may serve as an oxidation catalyst (258). Wood charcoal, or baker's charcoal possesses considerable absorb- ing power for many gases, the consequence of which is frequently the production of special reactions. Carbon saturated with oxygen can produce oxidations: ethyl alcohol is changed to acetic acid. Ethyl- enic hydrocarbons are partially burned. 5 Carbon saturated with chlorine enables us to chlorinate sulphur dioxide in the cold as well as hydrogen. 6 Baker's charcoal catalyzes the decomposition of primary alcohols above 380, giving, at the same time, aldehydes and ethylene hydro- carbons (679). It is frequently employed for the preparation of carbonyl chloride (282). 49. The porosity of the carbon has a great influence. Thus in the case of 30 volume hydrogen peroxide of which the half decompo- sition at 17 required 240 hours, the addition of 5% of cocoanut charcoal (in pieces 1 to 2 mm. in size) reduced this time to 15.4 hours, while the same weight of charcoal from the black alder lowered it 4 DAMOISEAU, Compt. rend., 83, 60 (1876). 6 CALVERT, Ibid., 64, 1246 (1867). 6 MELSENS, Ibid., 76, 92 (1873). 50 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC^CHEMISTRY 14 only to 212 hours. Sugar charcoal falls between these two as an activator. 7 50. Sodium brings about the isomerization of unsaturated hydro- carbons, e. g., diethylallene into diethylallylene (192). It polymerizes isoprene (213) as well as acetonitrile (231). 51. Magnesium. Magnesium powder has been mentioned as very active in decomposing hydrocarbons at 600 (918). Aluminum. The same property has been claimed for aluminum which has been proposed as a chlorination catalyst also because it changes immediately to the chloride. Aluminum turnings are only a mediocre catalyst for oxidation (255). 52. Manganese. Powdered manganese is a poor catalyst for oxidations (255) but is an excellent aid to bromination (292). Zinc turnings, at 100, can cause the condensation of acetaldehyde into aldol or into crotonic aldehyde (219). The same metal acts as a dehydrogenating agent on alcohols at 600-50, temperatures at which the metal is melted, a condition unfavorable to catalytic action (670). 53. Nickel. Employed in the state of extremely fine division, as is obtained by the reduction of the oxides by hydrogen or carbon monoxide, nickel is a marvelous catalyst, the manifold activity of which has been established by the investigations of Sabatier and Senderens, beginning in 1879. It is specially suitable for the direct hydrogenation of volatile organic compounds, but it is equally capable of producing dehydrogenations and decompositions whether they are followed by molecular condensations or not. Chapters VIII, IX and XII are devoted to catalytic reactions effected by nickel. 54. The metal in sheet or even in thin foil possesses only slight activity. Catalytic nickel should be prepared by reducing the oxide, and as the metal so produced is readily oxidised and frequently pyro- phoric, it is generally best to carry out the reduction in the same tube in which the catalysis is to be effected. However this is not abso- lutely necessary, if the precaution is taken to cool the reduced metal perfectly in the current of hydrogen, or better still in a current of pure nitrogen. 8 The metal so prepared can be preserved in a well- 7 LEMOINE, Ibid., 162, 725 (1916). 8 When freshly prepared highly active nickel is exposed freely to the air, a rapid heating takes place that considerably impairs its catalytic activity. The change which takes place in the nickel is brought about and augmented by the heat produced by the catalytic oxidation of the hydrogen occluded and surround- ing the nickel when it comes in contact with an excess of oxygen from the air. Similar oxidation of hydrogen is well known in the presence of catalytic pal- ladium or platinum. In the case of catalytic nickel, however, the heat thus 15 ON CATALYSTS 67 stoppered bottle for quite a long time without considerable alteration. 55. The activity of the reduced nickel varies greatly according to the nature of the oxide and the manner of reduction. The metal is more active, the greater its surface; and the lighter the oxide and the lower the reduction temperature, the greater is this surface. Nickel reduced at a bright red is no longer pyrophoric and possesses a considerably reduced catalytic power. On the contrary, that which comes from the hydroxide precipitated from the nitrate, dried and reduced around 250, has an excessive activity along with maximum alterability. It can be compared to a spirited horse, delicate, difficult to control, and incapable of sustained work. Applied to phenol, it passes by cyclohexanol and produces cyclo- hexane to a large extent. It tends to produce molecular dislocations in bodies submitted to catalysis. 56. An excellent quality of nickel is obtained by dissolving the commercial cubes in pure nitric acid (free from hydrochloric) , calcin- ing the nitrate at a dull red and reducing at about 300 the oxide thus obtained. Such a nickel can do all kinds of work and maintains its activity for a long time. It has been stated that nickel prepared above 350 is incapable of hydrogenating the aromatic nucleus, 9 but Sabatier and Espil have shown that this ability is still possessed by a nickel prepared at 700 even when it is kept at this temperature for several hours, but not by nickel prepared by reduction above 750 or heated for some time at 750 . 10 57. Cobalt. Finely divided cobalt, such as is obtained by the reduction of the oxide by hydrogen, can be employed as a catalyst for the same purposes as nickel, but is less useful as it is less active, generated in the presence of an excess of oxygen, or air, produces an oxidation of the catalyzer to an extent that lessens or destroys its activity. A number of experiments were made in which freshly prepared nickel catalyzer still in the presence of hydrogen was subjected to the action of a Geryk pump which ex- hausted practically all of the excess hj'drogen gas. In different experiments the catalyzer was then, while cold, allowed slowly to come in contact with carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and air. The catalyzers so formed were active and retained their activity reasonably well. In case air was admitted to the vacuum vessel containing the catalyzer, it was introduced very slowly so that any oxidation would be so slight as not to increase the temperature sufficiently to produce cumulative oxidation. M. H. ITTNER. 9 DARZENS, Corn-pi, rend., 139, 869 (1904); BRUNEL, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 6, 205 (1903). 10 SABATIER and EPSIL, Bull Soc. Chim. (4), 15, 779 (1914). 58 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 16 and as the reduction of its oxide requires a higher temperature, in fact above 400. 58. Iron. Reduced iron can replace nickel in quite a large number of cases, but disadvantages, like those mentioned for cobalt, are more serious, the oxides being still more difficult to reduce. Between 400 and 450, it is necessary to prolong the action of the hydrogen for six or seven hours to obtain complete reduction. Furthermore, the metal reduced at this high temperature is no longer pyrophoric and retains only mediocre activity. However, pulverized iron is a useful catalyst for decompositions accomplished at a low red heat (932). Iron has been mentioned as a chlorination catalyst, but in that case it serves only to form iron chloride which is the real catalyst. 59. Copper. Copper, reduced from its oxide by hydrogen, con- stitutes, on account of its ease of preparation, the low temperature at which the oxide can be reduced, below 180, and the regularity of its action, a valuable catalyst for certain reactions, but it is not capable of effecting all kinds. Its activity also varies considerably according to the method of production. The black oxide of copper, prepared by roasting the metal or by calcining the nitrate at a bright red, furnishes by reduction, with incandescence, a clear red, very compact metal with low catalytic power. By reducing with a slow current of hydrogen (to avoid incandescence) at about 200, the tetracupric hydroxide such as is precipitated from boiling cupric salt solutions by alkalies a very light violet colored metal is obtained with much greater catalytic activity. The very fine copper powder which is commercially prepared for imitation gilding, can frequently be used: it is only necessary to free it from grease by washing with ether or ligroine. This latter has been used to facilitate several of the reactions of aromatic diazonium salts in which nitrogen is eliminated (606). It is efficient in causing the production of phenyl oxide by the action of brombenzene on sodium phenylate (904). Copper in spirals, or in gauze, has been employed, with advantage, in. the catalytic oxidation of alcohols, ethers, hydrocarbons, and amines (254). 60. Silver. Silver powder is an excellent oxidation catalyst (253) . Inversely, it causes the rapid decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, transforming itself into the oxide Ag 4 3 which continues the catalysis. 11 61. Platinum. Platinum is one of the longest known catalysts. 11 BERTHELOT, Bull Soc. Chim. (2), 34, 135 (1880). 17 ON CATALYSTS 63 Not oxidisable in the air at any temperature, it is a powerful catalyst for oxidation or for hydrogenation, especially when it is finely divided and presents a large surface. This is the condition realized in platinum sponge, a porous material obtained by calcining ammonium chlorplatinate, and even better in platinum black and in colloidal platinum, which can be mixed intimately with liquids submitted to catalysis (67). 62. Platinum black can be prepared either by reducing acid solutions of platinic chloride 12 by zinc, or better by magnesium, or by treating the platinum chloride with alcohol and alkalies, 13 or by reducing the platinum salt with sodium formate, 14 or with sodium tar- trate, or even with glucose in alkaline solution, or by glycerine and potash. 15 An excellent method is that of Loew: 35 cc. formalin is added to 25 g. platinum chloride dissolved in 30 cc. water and then, little by little, while cooling 25 g. caustic soda dissolved in its own weight of water. After twelve hours it is filtered off and washed. A spongy mass is thus obtained which is dried in the cold over sulphuric acid. 16 Platinum black always retains traces of substances with which it has been in contact during its preparation. Blacks prepared in alkaline solution are more active than those from acid solution. 63. According to Lemoine the grains of platinum black, of which the diameter is about 0.1 mm., are much more active than those of the sponge for the same area. With a specimen of hydrogen peroxide which, without catalyst, required ten days for half decomposition, this time was reduced by platinum black to 0.00013 hour and with the same surface of the sponge only to 0.2 hour. The black possesses a specific activity which is, without doubt, due to less molecular condensation and which disappears when it is heated to 400 to 500 . 17 This weakening by heating is progressive. Thus platinum black is not sensibly altered as a hydrogenation catalyst when heated below 300 and still retains its power to transform limonene into menthane by the fixation of 2H 2 . If it is heated to 430, it is considerably weakened and can add only H 2 to the external double bond, giving carvomenthene. Heated to 500, it loses all activity. 18 12 BOETTGER, J. Prakt. Chem. (2), 2, 137 (1870). 13 ZEISE, Pogg. Ann., 9, 632 (1827). i* DOEBEREINER, Ibid., 28, 181 (1833). 15 ZDRAWKOWITCH, Bull. Soc. Chim. (2), 25, 198 (1876). 16 LOEW, Berichte, 23, 289 (1890). Improved directions for this important preparation are given by WILLSTATTER and WALDSCHMIDT-LEITZ in Berichte, 54, 121 (1921). E. E. R. 17 LEMOINE, Compt. rend., 162, 657 (1916). 18 VAVON, Ibid., 158, 409 (1914). 64 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 18 Compact platinum in foil or wire has a certain activity, at least, if it has been previously heated above 50. A heated platinum spiral introduced into a mixture of alcohol vapor and air or oxygen, causes the formation of aldehyde and the incandescence which results from the heat liberated in the oxidation, maintains itself indefinitely so long as the mixture is renewed: this is the lamp without flame. 64. Rhodium, Ruthenium, Iridium, and Osmium. Employed in the form of the pulverulent black, or as sponge, these metals act in the same manner as platinum, at least as regards reactions of oxida- tion or of decomposition, but they are less active in hydrogenation (580). Rhodium or iridium black decomposes, in the cold, formic acid into hydrogen and carbon dioxide (822). In contact with alcohol and caustic soda, hydrogen is evolved with the formation of sodium acetate. 20 65. Palladium. Palladium exhibits the property of absorbing very large quantities of hydrogen, even up to 930 times its own volume. 21 Palladium thus saturated with hydrogen can effect a large number of hydrogenations. But the metal can serve also as a tem- porary support for hydrogen, that is to say, as a hydrogenation cat- alyst, in the form of sponge or black (573) , and can be employed as a catalyst for dehydrogenation (669), for decomposition (624), or for polymerization (212). 66. Gold. Gold, when finely divided, has catalytic properties resembling those of silver. 67. Colloidal metals. The catalytic activity of metals, being in direct relation to the extent of their surfaces, consequently to the minuteness of their particles, should reach its maximum in the col- loidal state. As the chemical alterability of the metals is also inten- sified by their extreme subdivision, it would hardly be expected that any could be practically used in this state except those not oxidisable in the cold, such as platinum, palladium, gold and silver. 68. Bredig 22 has described a simple method for preparing colloidal metals: an electric arc is made to play between two wires of the metal under pure water. A sort of nebulosity is observed which becomes darker and darker till it is soon so opaque that the spark 19 HOFMANN, Annalen, 145, 358 (1868). 20 SAINTE-CLAIRE-DEVILLE and DEBRAY, Compt. rend., 78, 1782 (1874). 21 GRAHAM, Phil Mag., (4), 32, 401 and 503 (1866); 36, 63 (1868). Proc. Roy. Soc., 15, 223, 502 (1867); 16, 429 (1868); 17, 212 and 500 (1869). Compt. rend., 63, 471 (1866) and 68, 101 (1869). 22 BREDIG, Zeit. physik. Chem., 31, 258 (1899); 37, 1, 323 (1901); Berichte, 37, 798 (1904); Zeit. Elektroch., 14, 51 (1908). 19 ON CATALYSTS 71 can not be seen. Solutions thus obtained can be preserved for a long time and contain 0.09 to 0.02 g. gold per liter and a less amount of palladium or platinum: the number of particles in such a solution may reach as high as a billion per cubic millimeter. 69. Unfortunately such solutions are unstable in the presence of various substances. The presence of suitable organic materials gives them stability and Paal has found that egg albumen has this effect. He dissolves 15 parts of caustic soda in 500 parts of water, adds 100 parts egg albumen and warms on the water bath till solution is nearly complete. It is acidulated with sulphuric acid and the precipitate filtered off. The solution is neutralized with soda, evaporated on the water bath to a small volume and again acidulated with sulphuric acid. The filtered solution is dialyzed to separate the sodium sulphate. The liquid remaining in the dialyzer is treated warm with baryta water which precipitates the remaining sulphate ions. The filtered solution is evaporated on the water bath and several volumes of alcohol added, which precipitates white flakes which Paal has named lysalbinic acid. When dry, this is a white powder, soluble in water and nearly insoluble in alcohol: its weight is about one-fourth that of the albumen. One gram of the above product is dissolved in 30 cc. water and made alkaline with a slight excess of soda, 2 g. platinum chloride dis- solved in a little water is added and then a slight excess of hydrazine hydrate. The solution turns dark and a gas is evolved: after five hours it is dialyzed to eliminate electrolytes, carefully evaporated on the water bath and dried in vacuum. Brilliant black scales are obtained which dissolve in water to form a black opaque solution: this is colloidal platinum. Colloidal palladium is prepared in an analogous manner. 28 Solutions of these are very stable and can even be heated for a long time .without change. 70. In this way colloidal solutions can be prepared of silver, gold, copper, osmium, and iridium, all decomposing hydrogen peroxide with extreme energy. Traces of osmium produce this effect. 24 71. Skita prepared a colloidal palladium hydroxide, for use as a hydrogenation catalyst, by heating to boiling a solution of palladium chloride, PdCl 2 , with soda and a little gum arabic. The solution is 28 PAAL, Berichte, 35, 2195 (1902). PAAL and AMBERGER, Ibid., 37, 126 (1904) and 38, 1398 (1905). KELBER and SCHWARTZ, Ibid., 45, 1946 (1912). SKITA and MEYER, Ibid. t 45, 3579 (1912). 24 PAAL and AMBERGER, Berichte, 40, 2201 (1907). PAAL, BIEHLER and STEYER, Ibid., 50, 722 (1917). 72 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 20 dialyzed till neither silver nitrate nor baryta water gives a test out- side. The solution, evaporated to dryness in a vacuum, gives brown scales of colloidal palladium hydroxide, insoluble in cold water but soluble in water containing traces of acid or alkali. Another method of preparing colloidal palladium, given by the same author, is to pass a current of hydrogen through a warm solu- tion of palladous chloride and gum arabic. A colloidal platinum hydroxide, analogous to that of palladium, is obtained by treating a boiling solution of potassium chlorplatinate with the theoretical amount of decinormal soda and adding gum arabic. The brown solution by dialysis, and evaporation in vacuum, gives a black solid, insoluble in water but made soluble by a trace of alkali. The solutions so obtained can be neutralized, dialyzed and evap- orated in vacuum: the black scales so obtained dissolve readily in water and can be employed for hydrogenations in acid media (561). The solutions are not coagulated by boiling with acetic acid, nor by heating with water under pressure. In another process, called the germ method, the same chemist adds to a solution of platinum chloride, PtCl 4 , containing gum arabic, a trace of a previously prepared colloidal platinum in solution, and submits the liquid to the action of compressed hydrogen, by which means a colloidal solution of the metal is obtained. 25 72. Among colloidal metals, the maximum activity for oxidations belongs to platinum, osmium being only slightly active: 26 for hydro- genations, silver and osmium are much inferior to platinum and particularly to palladium; gold and copper produce no effect. 27 OXIDES AS CATALYSTS 73. Water. Water appears frequently as a positive catalyst: quite a large number of reactions are not readily carried out except in the presence of traces of moisture. Oxidations are generally more difficult to realize by means of oxygen rigorously dried. 28 A mixture of absolutely dry carbon monoxide and oxygen can not be made to explode. A flame of carbon monoxide is extinguished in perfectly dry air. 29 Carbon and even phosphorus refuse to burn in perfectly 25 SKITA, Berichte, 45, 3312 (1912). 26 PAAL, Berichte, 49, 548 (1916). 27 PAAL and GBRUM, Berichte, 40, 2209 (1907). 28 DDCON, Proc. Roy. Soc., 37, 56 (1884). 2 TRAUBE, Berichte, 18, 1890 (1885). 21 ON CATALYSTS 75 dry oxygen. 30 Hydrogen and oxygen thoroughly dried do not com- bine up to 1000. Ammonia and hydrogen chloride when rigorously freed from moisture do not form any solid ammonium chloride and, conversely, thoroughly dry ammonium chloride can be volatilized without decomposition and the density of its vapor is then normal. 31 A trace of moisture is sufficient to cause the transformation of vitreous arsenic trioxide into its octahedral isomer (porcelain like). 32 Absolutely dry fluorine does not attack glass (Moissan). This beneficial catalytic effect of water is quite exceptional in organic reactions, but we may mention that in the catalytic oxidation of methyl alcohol vapors by a platinum spiral, the presence of water favors the production of formaldehyde. With absolute methyl alco- hol, incandescence is not produced unless the spiral has an initial temperature of at least 400, while with 20% of water in the alcohol, 175 is sufficient. 33 74. Sulphur Dioxide. Small amounts of this gas are sufficient to cause the polymerization of acetaldehyde into par aldehyde or metaldehyde (482). 75. Anhydrous Metallic Oxides. Manganese dioxide rapidly decomposes hydrogen peroxide, without itself being altered. The same is true of the yellow oxide of lead in alkaline solution. Cuprous oxide is an active catalyst for the decomposition of diazonium salts (606). The studies that have been made in commercializing the contact process for sulphuric acid, discovered in 1831 (4), have shown that various finely divided metallic oxides may be substituted for the platinum. As early as 1852, Wohler and Mahla suggested for this purpose, oxides of iron, chromium and copper; and Petrie, Plattner, and Reich advised the use of pulverized silica. 34 In 1854, Torn- thwaite proposed manganese oxide. The application of anhydrous metallic oxides to the catalytic oxidation of volatile organic compounds was proposed anew in 1906 by Sabatier and Mailhe, who mentioned specially the oxides of copper, nickel, cobalt, chromium, manganese and uranium (260). Matignon and Trannoy made the same suggestion (260). Several anhydrous metallic oxides, particularly alumina, thoria, blue oxide of tungsten, titania and zirconia, etc., are endowed with so BAKER, J. Chem. Soc., 47, 349 (1886). 81 BAKER, Ibid., 65, 611 (1894). 82 WINKLER, J. pr. Chem. (2), 31, 247 (1885). 83 TRILLAT, Bull. Soc. Chim., (3), 29, 35 (1903). 34 Silica gel has been found by Patrick to be an excellent catalyst for the oxidation of nitric oxide by oxygen. E. E. R. 76 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 22 important catalytic activity towards alcohols, which they can decom- pose into unsaturated hydrocarbons (701). They can catalyze the synthesis of thiols (743), amines (732), ethers or phenol ethers (786 and 789) and esters (762). These oxides and manganese oxide, employed as catalysts with acids produce symmetrical ketones (837) , mixed ketones (847), aldehydes (851) and decompose esters (858). They can also bring about the isomerization or polymerization of unsaturated hydrocarbons (211). 76. The catalytic power of these various oxides is very variable, according to the method of preparation. Catalysis being a matter of surface, the amorphous oxides prepared from precipitated hydroxides, dehydrated at low temperatures, are much more active than crystallized oxides or those that have been sintered together by calcination at a red heat. These latter possess, for equal mass, a much smaller surface and are frequently, without doubt, in an advanced stage of molecular condensation. This is particularly true of the oxides of the metals of small atomic weight, aluminum, iron, silicon, chromium, etc. The action of acids has long shown such differences. 77. Amorphous alumina, obtained by dehydrating the hydroxide below 400, dissolves readily in mineral acids and is an active catalyst for alcohols, while crystallized alumina and amorphous alumina cal- cined at a bright red, are insoluble in acids and have almost no catalytic power for alcohols. Analogous differences are observed with the different varieties of silica, though, for the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, silica cal- cined at red heat is more active than the dried silica. 86 Ferric oxide prepared by dehydrating the precipitated hydroxide below 350, is a much more powerful catalyst for alcohols than that obtained at a red heat. 36 It is the same with regard to hydrogen peroxide of which the former decomposes 50% in 10 seconds, while the latter requires 1550 seconds. 78. Furthermore, the very nature of the catalyst is modified by these changes of constitution of the oxides. The sesquioxide of chromium, prepared by dehydrating the blue precipitated hydroxide, gives with ethyl alcohol 4.2 cc. gas per minute containing 91% of ethylene, while, after calcination at 500, the same oxide furnishes only 2.8 cc. gas with 40% ethylene. The oxide pre- 35 LEMOINE, Compt. rend., 162, 702 (1916). 36 SABATIEB and MAILHE, Ann. Chim. Phys., (8), 20, 313 (1910). 23 ON CATALYSTS 81 pared by the explosion of ammonium bichromate and, consequently formed with incandescence, gives 1.2 cc. gas, with 38% ethylene. 37 The crystallized oxide gives no gas at all at 350, and 400 must be reached to obtain 2 cc. which is then nearly pure hydrogen. The catalytic function is modified at the same time that it is weakened. 38 Analogous variations have been observed with silica and alumina, both in the intensity and in the direction of the decomposition, 39 and a relation has been noted between the catalytic activity of alumina and its solubility in acids. 40 79. Thoria, on the contrary, does not present this inconvenience and its activity is not sensibly diminished when it is calcined at a red heat: it appears that such a heavy molecule can not suffer important polymolecular condensations. 80. Nickel oxide and especially nickel suboxide, which results from the incomplete reduction of the monoxide, have been regarded by some chemists as the best catalysts for carrying out the hydro- genation of organic compounds in a liquid medium. At least as active as reduced nickel, they have the advantage of being less alter- able and consequently of retaining their catalytic activity longer (584) . The researches of Sabatier and Espil have indeed established the existence of a suboxide, apparently Ni 4 0, which is the first step in the reduction of the monoxide, but they have shown that this sub- oxide, while it is being formed, is partially reduced to the metal and it is this latter which is the sole factor in the hydrogenations that have been attributed to the oxide. 41 The same reservations should be applied to the oxide of osmium, which has been proposed as a hydrogenation catalyst (583) and which, doubtless, serves only as a source of finely divided osmium.* 2 MINERAL ACIDS 81. Strong mineral acids frequently act as catalysts in chemical reactions. Hydrochloric and sulphuric acids, employed in small amounts, bring about the rapid esterification of alcohols by organic acids (749). Hydrochloric acid shows itself also efficacious for the production of acetals from alcohols (782) as well as of similar compounds from 87 LEMOINE, Compt. rend., 162, 702 (1916). 88 SABATIER and MAILHE, Ann. Chim. Phys., (8), ao, 339 (1910). 8 SENDERENS, Bull. Soc. Chim., (4), 3, 823 (1908). 40 IPATIEF, Berichte, 37, 2986 (1904). 41 SABATIER and ESPIL, Compt. rend., 158, 668 (1914) and 159, 140 (1914). * 2 NORMANN and SCHICK, Arch. Pharm., 252, 208 (1914), C. A., 8, 3129. 82 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 24 glucose with alcohols and thiols. 43 It also causes catalytic dehydra- tions in the condensation of ketones (795) and in analogous reactions. Sulphuric acid behaves similarly in the crotonization of aldehydes and in similar condensations. These two acids intervene in a similar manner in the acetylation of amines, e. g. of urea. Acetanhydride, without catalyst, gives a yield of only 19.3%, but 73.3% with one molecule of hydrochloric acid, and 61% with one molecule of sulphuric acid. 44 82. But these acids more frequently accomplish the reverse cat- alysis in causing hydrolysis, or decomposition by addition of water, and this aptitude they have in common with all strong soluble mineral acids, because it is in consequence of their ionization and should be considered as due to the hydrogen ions which they furnish. Their hydrolytic activity is proportional to their electrolytic dissociation. We have cases of this decomposition by the addition of water, in the various catalytic effects of acids in the saponification of esters and fats (314), the hydrolysis of amides (331), of anilides, of cer- tain aromatic sulphonic acids, 45 of acetals, in the inversion of su- crose, and, in a more general manner, in the decomposition of polysaccharides such as starch and dextrine. Hydrochloric acid is a very active polymerizing catalyst for alde- hydes, whether it produces a simple aldolization with conservation of the aldehyde function (219), or a cyclization into molecules more or less condensed such as paraldehyde (222). Sulphuric acid, in small amounts, can likewise cause the change of acetaldehyde into paraldehyde and also the polymerization of ethylene hydrocarbons (210). Hydriodic acid, in its capacity of a strong acid, can effect hy- drolyses, as do the above acids. We may mention also its use in facili- tating the preparation of the mixed organo-magnesium halides from chlorides in the Grignard reaction (302). Nitrous acid catalyzes the transformation of ole'ic acid into its isomer, ela'idic acid (186). INORGANIC BASES 83. The alkalies, and alkaline earths, caustic potash and soda, baryta and lime, frequently act as catalysts. In inorganic chemistry they cause the rapid decomposition of hydrogen peroxide and hydro- gen persulphides. 43 EMIL FISCHER, Berichte, 26, 2400 (1893) and 27, 615 (1894). 44 BOESEKEN, Rec. Trav. Chim. Pays-Bas, 29, 330 (1910). 46 CBAFTS, Berichte, 34, 1350 (1901). 25 ON CATALYSTS 87 In water solution, these strong bases, being, highly ionized, hy- drolyze esters rapidly. Saponification, when carried out in the pres- ence of excess of alkali, appears, at first sight, to be simply the conse- quence of the formation of the alkali salt of the acid of the ester, but, in reality, the phenomenon consists of two successive phases, first the hydrolysis which liberates the acid and then the neutralization of the acid to form the salt. Solutions of lime bring about rapid aldolization of aldehydes (221). A mixture of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, on long contact with milk of lime, engenders a tetraprimary erythrol along with formic acid. 46 Solid caustic potash causes the aldolization of acetaldehyde and alcoholic potash, the polymerization of isobutyric aldehyde (224). Caustic alkalies frequently produce isomerizations (185). FLUORIDES, CHLORIDES, BROMIDES, AND IODIDES 84. Boron Fluoride. Among fluorides, that of boron merits special mention. It produces polymerizations of hydrocarbons: one part of it is sufficient to polymerize 160 parts of oil of turpentine. 47 85. Iodine Chloride. The trichloride IC1 3 , the immediate product of the action of excess of chlorine on iodine, is a valuable agent in the direct chlorination of organic compounds by gaseous chlorine (278). 86. Barium Chloride. The anhydrous salt readily causes the decomposition of alkyl chlorides into hydrochloric acid and the ethy- lene hydrocarbons (876). 87. Aluminum Chloride. The anhydrous chloride is a catalyst of immense value. It can be employed as an agent in direct chlorina- tion or bromination (284 and 293). It causes the direct fixation on benzene, of oxygen (263), of sul- phur (296) , and of sulphur dioxide (297) . It can bring about the decomposition of alkyl chlorides (877) and of thiophenol (297). In the acetylation of urea it is a much more active catalyst than hydrochloric acid. 48 Anhydrous aluminum chloride is the basis of a very important 48 TOLLENS and WIGAND, Annalen, 265, 317 (1891). 47 BERTHELOT, Ann. Clrim. Phys., (3), 38, 41 (1853). 48 BOESEKEN, Rec. Trav. Chim. Pays-Bos, 29, 330 (1910). 88 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 26 general method for the condensation of organic compounds, which we owe to Friedel and Crafts, 49 and of which the principal applications and methods of operation will be set forth in Chapter XX. It acts powerfully on hydrocarbons to cause decompositions as well as molecular condensations (Chapter XXI). 88. Ferric Chloride. Anhydrous ferric chloride can be substi- tuted for aluminum chloride in many of its catalytic reactions. It gives good results as agent of direct chlorination or bromination (285) and even of iodination (295). It can serve as catalyst in the production of acetals (781 and 783). It can replace aluminum chloride in the Friedel and Crafts synthesis (899) as well as in analogous condensations (902). 89. Zinc Chloride. This chloride, having a strong affinity for water, is frequently employed as a dehydrating agent. The reactions which it produces are frequently considered as not catalytic, but a closer examination classes them as such, since they are generally pro- duced by small amounts of the salt, smaller than would be required for a chemical reaction. Thus zinc chloride is a well defined catalyst in the acetylation of glycerine by acetanhydride (761), in the crotonization of aldehydes (795), and in the formation of substituted indols by the decomposition of phenylhydrazones (633). Its role is less easy to define and to distinguish from that of an ordinary chemical reagent in quite a number of reactions, such as the condensation of benzaldehyde with nitromethane, 50 with chloral hydrate, 51 with ethyl orthoformate, 52 or with phthalic anhydride, 53 or of phenols or polyphenols with aromatic amines, 54 or with fatty acids. 55 Anhydrous zinc chloride can replace aluminum chloride in the Friedel and Crafts synthesis (899), and can also produce polymeriza- tions (211). Chlorides of Cobalt, Nickel, Cadmium, and Lead. These de- compose alkyl chlorides after the manner of barium chloride (876). 90. Stannic Chloride. In certain condensations of organic molecules as of aliphatic aldehydes with phenols, 56 its role as a cat- alyst is difficult to define, as has been said of zinc chloride, or in the 49 FRIEDEL and CRAFTS, Ann. Chim. Phys. (6), i, 489 (1884). 60 PRIEBS, Annalen, 225, 321 (1884). 61 BOESSNECK, Berichte, 19, 367 (1886). 62 FISCHER and KORNER, Berichte, 17, 98 (1884). 83 FISCHER, Annalen, 206, 86 (1881). 64 CALM, Berichte, 16, 2786 (1883). 65 GOLDZWEIG and KAISER, J. prakt. Chem., (2), 43, 91 (1891). S6 FABINYI, Berichte, u, 283 (1878). 27 ON CATALYSTS 97 formation of phthalemes from phenols and phthalic anhydride, 87 but it is well established in the addition of acid chlorides to ethylene hydrocarbons (241). Chlorides of Antimony, Molybdenum, Thallium and Uranium. These can be used as chlorination catalysts (286). 91. Cuprous Chloride, Bromide, and Iodide. These cause the decomposition of diazonium salts with the hydracids into the corre- sponding aromatic halogen compounds, with the elimination of nitro- gen (the Sandmeyer reaction) (606). They can bring about the decomposition of phenylhydrazine (611) as well as the production of indols by the decomposition of the phenylhydrazones (633) . Cuprous chloride causes the scission of chlorinated hydrocarbons (879). Cuprous iodide has been employed with success in the phenylation of primary aromatic amines (901). 92. Mercuric Chloride. This accelerates the isomerization of isobutyl bromide (200) and permits acetaldehyde to be prepared by the hydration of acetylene (309). 93. Aluminum Bromide. This is advantageously employed as catalyst in bromination. It causes rapid transformation of propyl bromide into the isomeric isopropyl bromide (199). 94. Potassium Iodide. Organic chlorine derivatives usually re- act with less facility than the corresponding iodides. Their action can be greatly facilitated by the addition of 10% potassium iodide, which apparently permits the progressive transformation of the chloride into the more reactive iodide. 58 95. Potassium Cyanide. It acts as an efficient catalyst of aldo- lization (220) and even of polymerization in the strict sense (230). The double cyanide of potassium and copper has been employed as oxidation catalyst (268). INORGANIC SALTS OF OXYGEN ACIDS 96. A large number of these salts can act as catalysts in organic reactions. Salts formed from weak acids or from weak bases or ammonia, readily separated by dissociation, usually show effects which could be produced by their constituents separately. 97. Alkaline Carbonates. These may be used advantageously in place of caustic potash in reactions of aldolization or of analogous condensations (219 and 236). 57 BAEYER, Annalen, 202, 154 (1880). 58 WOHL, Berichte, 39, 1951 (1906). 98 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 28 Potassium Bisulphate. This salt can act as free sulphuric acid, either in esterification or in the direct production of acetals, or in condensations effected with elimination of water such as that of dimethyl aniline with benzaldehyde. 69 Ammonium Sulphate, Nitrate, and Chloride. These can act as the free acids in esterification, or in analogous reactions, such as the production of acetals (783). 98. Barium and Calcium Carbonates. These are equivalent to the free oxides. Calcium Sulphate. Either as the hydrate, or dehydrated below 400, it possesses a certain activity for dehydrating alcohols into the ethylene hydrocarbons (718). 99. Aluminum Sulphate and Phosphate. These are dehydra- tion catalysts analogous to free alumina (718). Silicates. Clay and kaolin, hydrated silicates of aluminum, catalyze the dehydration of alcohols as does alumina (717). Broken glass, which is a mixed silicate of variable composition, has properties which vary with this composition. In the decomposi- tion of formic acid around 300, Jena glass yields mainly carbon di- oxide and hydrogen, while the ordinary white glass gives water and carbon monoxide, approaching pure silica (828). Pumice, in spite of its porous structure, is only slightly active as a catalyst and approaches silica in its action. 100. Ferrous and Manganous Salts. In the presence of water, these are active oxidation catalysts (264). Thus the presence of various manganous salts aids the oxidation of oxalic acid solutions. 60 101. Magnesium Sulphate. This is an excellent catalyst for the dehydration of glycerine into acrole'in (725). 102. Mercuric Sulphate. This can cause the hydration of acetylene hydrocarbons into ketones (309), and the oxidation of or- ganic compounds by fuming sulphuric acids (272). Its presence determines the nature of the isomers produced in the direct sulphona- tion of aromatic molecules (816). It can also determine isomeriza- tions (195). 103. Copper Sulphate. In Deacon'^ process, it is copper sulphate that catalyzes the oxidation of hydrochloric acid by air at 430 with the production of chlorine. It can, although with disadvantage, re- place mercuric sulphate in the oxidation of organic compounds by fuming sulphuric acid (272). 69 WALLACE and WUSTEN, Berichte, 16, 149 (1883). 60 JOBISSBN and REICHER, Zeit. physik. Chem., 31, 142 (1900). 29 ON CATALYSTS 107 VARIOUS COMPOUNDS 104. Ammonia. The presence of ammonia favors the polymeriza- tion of cyanamide (233). Amines. Aliphatic primary and secondary amines are of use as catalysts in the complex reactions in the vulcanization of rubber. Piperidine has been suggested for the purpose. 61 Nitrosodimethyl- aniline has been recommended in the ratio of 0.3 to 0.5 part to 100 parts caoutchouc and 10 parts sulphur at 140. 62 Alkyl Halides and Esters. A small quantity of an alkyl iodide, especially methyl or ethyl iodide, greatly facilitates the preparation of the organo-magnesium compounds in the Grignard reaction, par- ticularly when chlorides are used (302). Acetaldehyde, heated to 100 with ethyl iodide, condenses to par- aldehyde. 63 Ethyl oxalate, by its presence, favors the reduction of ethylene bromide to ethyl bromide by the alloy of sodium and zinc. 64 Ethyl nitrite, in alcohol solution, causes the transformation of thiourea into ammonium isosulphocyanate. Ethers. Ethyl ether, as well as amyl ether, and anisol, C 6 H 5 .O.CH 3 , plays an important role as catalyst in the formation of the organo-magnesium complexes in the Grignard reaction (300). 105. Aldehydes. Acetaldehyde provokes the hydration of cyan- ogen to oxamide (311). 106. Organic Acids. Acetic acid can sometimes act, after the fashion of mineral acids, to cause combinations with elimination of water, as in the production of acetals (780). Its catalytic role can be disputed in the condensation of benzaldehyde with malonic acid. 65 Isoprene heated with acetic acid is transformed into artificial rubber (215). Oxalic acid acts like hydrochloric or phosphoric acid in the poly- merization of aldehydes. 107. Alkaline Acetates. Sodium acetate is a quite active dehy- dration catalyst. It produces the crotonization of aldehydes (795) as well as their simple polymerization. It is employed as a catalyst to aid in the esterification of alcohols by acetanhydride. Quite a large number of organic condensations, which take place 61 BAYER & Co., German Patent, 265,221 (1912), C. 1913, (2), 1444. 62 PEACHEY, English Patent, 4,263 of 1914. 63 LIEBEN, Annalen, SuppL, i, 114 (1861). 64 MICHAEL, Am. Chem. J., 25, 419 (1901). 65 CLAISEN and CRISMER, Annalen, 218, 155 (1883). 108 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 30 with elimination of water, have as their basis the use of sodium ace- tate, but it is usually employed in such large proportions that its catalytic role is masked. This is the case in the condensation of phthalid with phthalic anhydride to form diphthalid. 66 Likewise potassium acetate permits the condensation of acetic acid with phthalic anhydride to form phthalylacetic acid. 67 It is under the same conditions that is, employed in large quan- tity that sodium acetate causes acetanhydride to act on benzalde- hyde to form cinnamic acid in Perkin's synthesis. 68 108. Nitroso Compounds. The nitroso derivatives of methyl- aniline, dimethylaniline, and diphenylamine are accelerators in the vulcanization of caoutchouc. The same property belongs to nitroso- phenol and nitrosonaphthol but not to the isomeric nitrosoamines. 69 109. Alkyl Cyanides. Methyl and ethyl cyanides are active cat- alysts in the reaction of sodium with alkyl iodides, or with similar compounds (605). 110. Fibrine. It may be recalled that fibrine catalytically de- composes hydrogen peroxide very rapidly. DURATION OF THE ACTION OF CATALYSTS 111. It would seem, by definition, that the action of catalysts should be prolonged indefinitely, and this perpetuity would be assured to them if they did not suffer any alteration in the course of the re- actions which they effect. If any change does take place, as is most frequently the case with solid catalysts acting in gaseous or liquid media, an alteration of the surface, even slight, brings on progressive diminution of activity which may go as far as total suppression. In hydrogenations carried on by nickel in gaseous systems, using pure and sufficiently volatile substances and thoroughly purified hy- drogen, at a carefully regulated temperature, the action can be con- tinued by the same metal a very long time without appreciable weakening. Sabatier and Senderens were able to effect the trans- formation of benzene into cyclohexane for more than a month with the same nickel, the operation being interrupted every evening and resumed in the morning. The slight oxidation which the metal suf- fered over night, in the cold tube, caused no inconvenience because the oxide was again reduced by the hydrogen at the beginning of the next run. 70 66 GRAEBE and GUYE, Annalen, 233, 241 (1886). 67 GABRIEL and NEUMANN, Berichte, 26, 925- (1893). es PKRKIN, J. Chem. Soc., 31, 388 (1877). 69 PEACHBY, J. Soc. Chem. Ind., 36, 424 (1917). 70 SABATIEB and SENDERENS, Ann. Chim. Phys., (8), 4, 334 (1905). 31 ON CATALYSTS 114 112. Poisoning of Catalysts. On the contrary, traces of chlorine, bromine, iodine and sulphur in the system are frequently sufficient to suppress the activity of the nickel entirely. It appears to be poisoned. Benzene which is not absolutely free from thiophene can not be hydrogenated. An infinitely small amount of bromine in phenol renders it incapable of being changed into cyclohexanol. 71 Chlorine or bromine derivatives of benzene have never been hydro- genated since the first portions of these compounds alter the metal immediately in an irremediable manner. 113. But the conditions under which this poisoning of the metal take place are quite complex. The presence of free halogens or halo- gen acids in the hydrogen is much less harmful than the presence of combined halogen in the vapors submitted to hydrogenation. This has been observed by Sabatier and Espil in the hydrogenation of benzene. 72 In an apparatus in which the hydrogenation of benzene was pro- gressing regularly over nickel at 180, the benzene was replaced by benzene containing 0.5% iodine. The hydrogenation continued for several hours with an excellent yield. The escaping hydrogen, after the condensation of the cyclohexane, disengaged abundant fumes of hydriodic acid showing that the iodine had been hydrogenated by the catalyst. The operation was interrupted after 130 g. of cyclohexane had been collected and it was found that the nickel had combined with iodine in the first half only of the tube. This half was incapable of carrying on the hydrogenation but the other half was unhurt. The poisoning of the metal by the iodine had taken place only slowly and step by step; the hydriodic acid had had, on its own account, no harmful effect and had not converted into the iodide the metal the surface of which was covered with an unstable hydride which pro- duced the hydrogenation (167). Doubtless the fixation of the hydro- gen on the iodine and the benzene in contact with the nickel is much more rapid than the reaction of the nickel with the iodine or with the hydriodic acid. As in the direct hydrogenation of unsaturated hydro- carbons (422) , the metal protects itself, by its own action, against the permanent alteration which would render it inactive. 114. Similar results have been obtained, by the same authors, in hydrogenating benzene with hydrogen containing hydrogen chloride, but if traces of brombenzene or chlorbenzene are added to the ben- zene, the production of cyclohexane ceases almost immediately and the nickel is incapable of regaining its activity. 71 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 153, 160 (1911). 72 SABATIER and ESPIL, Bull Soc. Chim., (4), 15, 778 (1914). 115 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 32 It is plain that free chlorine or bromine in the hydrogen, unlike iodine, would produce a definite poisoning of the metal since they would offer the possibility of direct substitution in the benzene which iodine does not do. Sabatier and Espil have likewise been able, for several hours, to transform into cyclohexane benzene containing 10% of carbon disul- phide, but traces of thiophene added to the benzene stopped the re- action at once. 115. The use in the oil industry (937 et seq.) of nickel as hydro- genation catalyst suspended in the liquid, has led to the determina- tion of the greater or less toxicity of a number of substances which may be present in small amounts in the oils to be treated. The soaps formed from the various metals or oxides are, from this point of view, very dissimilar: while those of nickel, thorium, cerium, aluminum, and calcium are absolutely without harmful effect, those of potassium, barium, zinc, cadmium, lead, and uranium are harmful. The nickel salts of organic monobasic acids, as well as of lactic, oxalic, and succinic acids, are without effect. The same can be said of the free fatty acids such as acetic and stearic, but oxystearic, malic, tartaric and citric acids are true poisons for the nickel catalyst. Toxicity is also shown by calcium hydroxide, potash, boric acid, am- monium molybdate, as well as by sulphur, selenium, red phosphorus, glycerine, lecithine, morphine, strychnine, amygdaline, and cyanides. Tin and aluminum in powder are without action, but iron, lead, and zinc are harmful. 73 116. With a platinum catalyst, the extreme toxicity of compounds of sulphur, 74 phosphorus and arsenic and of cyanides, etc., has long been known. The activity of colloidal platinum is diminished or destroyed by a large number of materials. Their toxicity has been measured by means of the velocities of decomposition of hydrogen peroxide and it has been suggested to designate by the term toxicity, the dilution (in liters per gram-molecule) at which the velocity of decomposition in contact with 0.000,01 gram-atom of platinum, is reduced one-half. 75 Among the violent poisons, hydrocyanic acid stands at the head with toxicity 21,000,000, followed by iodine with 7,000,000, mercuric chloride with 2,500,000, sodium hyposulphite, carbon disulphide, car- bon monoxide, and phosphorus. Among the moderate poisons, are placed aniline with toxicity, 30,000, bromine with 23,000, hydrochloric 73 SEIICHIDENO, J. Chem. Ind., Tokyo, 21, 898 (1918). 74 TURNER, Pogg. Ann., 2, 210 (1824). 78 BREDIQ and IKEDA, Zeit. phys. Chem., 37, 1 (1901). 33 ON CATALYSTS 119 acid with 3,100, oxalic acid, amyl nitrite, arsenious acid, and ammo- nium chloride. Among the feeble poisons, are found phosphorus acid, 900, sodium nitrite, and hydrofluoric acid, while potassium chlorate, alcohol, ether and pinene have no toxicity and formic acid, hydrazine, and dilute nitric acid are rather favorable. These toxicity coefficients would certainly be very different if measured with platinum black or sponge. 76 117. Platinum black is very sensitive to the poisons enumerated for colloidal platinum. Traces of potassium cyanide are sufficient to take from the metal all power to hydrogenate the aromatic nucleus, and also to weaken greatly the hydrogenation of ethylene bonds. 77 Contrary to what has been said about colloidal platinum, the hydrogenation velocity of pinene is diminished if it is dissolved in alcohol or in any substance capable of furnishing alcohol e. g. ether or ethyl acetate. The fatty acids have little action, except formic, which has a marked toxic effect. 78 118. The Fouling of Catalysts. Other causes of alteration can come in to bring on the decline of catalysts. It happens quite fre- quently that, along with the principal reaction, there are side reactions which become more important at elevated temperatures and which give rise to highly condensed substances which are only slightly volatile, carbonaceous or tarry. Such substances are slowly deposited on the active surfaces where they hinder the contact with the gas, rendering the useful reaction slow. In hydrogenations, or decompositions by finely divided metals, the more active the metals, the more rapid are formations of this sort. The most fiery catalysts are the most rapidly enfeebled. The decline of a catalyst, either from poisoning or fouling, is indi- cated by the diminishing of the yields in the reaction which it catalyzes. When a fatigued nickel catalyst is dissolved in dilute hydrochloric acid, fetid hydrocarbons are evolved with the hydrogen and brown carbonaceous or viscous materials are deposited. 119. It can be seen that an analogous enfeeblement will take place when the reaction produces a material which is only slightly volatile at the temperature of the tube and which impregnates the metal more or less rapidly thus opposing its regular activity. This takes place in the hydrogenation of aniline in the presence of nickel at 190, since 76 See comprehensive article by BANCROFT J. Phys. Chem., 21, 767 (1917). 77 MADINAVEITIA, Soc. Espan. Phys. Chim., u, 328 (1913). 78 BOESEKKN, VAN DEB WEiDE and MOM, Rev. Trav. Chim. Pays-Bos, 35, 260 (1916). 120 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 34 there is produced, in addition to the cyclohexyl amine boiling at 134, two other amines which are only slightly volatile, dicyclohexyl amine and cyclohexyl aniline, which boiling above 250, are carried off with difficulty by the hydrogen and remain partly in the liquid form in contact with the metal. 120. It is to avoid analogous effects that it is necessary to watch that the metal is never wetted by an excessive flow of the liquid which is being used or in consequence of an accidental lowering of the tem- perature of the tube. In the preparation of cyclohexanol or its homologs by the hydrogenation of phenol or the cresols, the reaction is carried on at a temperature only a little above the boiling points of the liquids and it happens sometimes that the nickel is wetted by the liquid. The catalyst immediately becomes nearly inactive, be- cause the surface is, without doubt, altered permanently by contact with the liquid phenol or cresol. 121. Catalytic hydrogenation by finely divided metals is, to a certain extent, comparable to the action of the figured ferments. 79 As with these, there are three periods, an initial period in which the catalyst adapts itself to its function, a period of normal activity and a period of decline, ending in the death of the ferment. The first period is a variable state and is usually of short dura- tion: it corresponds, without doubt, to the superficial modification which the metal undergoes when the atmosphere of pure hydrogen which surrounded it, is replaced by a mixture of the vapors with hydrogen. The second period, that of normal functioning, is usually very long and would be indefinite unless something is passed in or is produced which can alter the surface of the metal. Such substances may enter with the hydrogen or with the substance to be hydrogenated or may be produced in the reaction. 122. Catalytic oxides, although less sensitive than the metals to chemical alterations of their surfaces, may, nevertheless, suffer from this cause notable diminution of activity even to complete suppres- sion of their function. In many cases they are so fouled that they are weakened or paralyzed. 123. Regeneration of altered Catalysts. In so far as the alter- ation of metallic catalysts is due simply to fouling by deposits of carbon or of tarry substances, calcination in a current of air is suf- 79 Figured ferments " is an obsolete expression for " organized ferments,' 1 meaning ferments in which cells can be found with the microscope, as in the yeasts; in contradistinction to such ferments as saliva, etc. The cells were spoken of as "figures," hence "figured ferments." H. S. JENNINGS. 35 ON CATALYSTS 126 ficient to burn off these substances, converting the metal (nickel, iron, copper) into the oxide which a new reduction, carried out at a suitable temperature, will reconvert to the metal. These operations can be carried out in turn in the tube itself in which the catalysis takes place. This procedure is not suitable for platinum black, which by being heated to redness loses nearly all of its catalytic activity (63). It does not serve well for the greater part of the metal oxides which are greatly diminished in activity by heating to a high temperature; but it does serve well for thoria which has been fouled by long use (708). 124. Metallic catalysts poisoned by vapors of chlorine, bromine, iodine, sulphur, etc., are difficult to revivify except by dissolving in a suitable acid and working over completely. Calcination does not remove chlorine from slightly chlorinated nickel. The action of hydrogen reduces the chloride to the metallic state below 400, but the resulting metal is in a peculiar fibrous state and is incapable of reducing benzene to cyclohexane. Even after oxidation and a second reduction it is a poor catalyst. 125. It can be slowly restored to complete activity by employing it for some time in the reduction of nitrobenzene to aniline, work which poisoned nickel is still capable of doing. The aniline which is produced contains increasing amounts of cyclohexyl amine. After some hours of this treatment the power of the metal to produce cyclo- hexane from benzene is completely restored. On the contrary, poison- ing by bromine or iodine seems to resist this treatment. 80 MIXTURE OF CATALYSTS WITH INERT MATERIALS 126. The desire to increase the active surface of solid catalysts had led to disseminating them over inert porous materials such as pumice, asbestos, infusorial earth, and various metal salts. This practice has appeared specially advantageous for expensive catalysts such as platinum and palladium. Thus in the manufacture of sul- phuric acid by the contact process, the catalytic masses are either platinized asbestos, or anhydrous magnesium sulphate impregnated with platinum (about 14 g. metal per kilogram of sulphate). Nickeled pumice which has been employed by certain chemists in place of nickel powder for hydrogenations, is readily prepared by incorporating the crushed pumice in a thick paste of precipitated 80 SABATIEE and ESPIL, Bull. Soc. Chim., (4), 15, 779 (1914). 127 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 36 nickel hydroxide, drying in the oven, and finally reducing in the tube that is to be used for the hydrogenations. 81 127. In the case of catalytic metals which have to be carried to a red heat (932), the use of inert siliceous carriers may have serious consequences owing to the formation of silicates which may suppress the activity of the metal. In such cases it is best to use carriers free from silica, such as magnesia, alumina, natural bauxite, lime or car- bonate of calcium, etc., either by employing these substances in powders intimately mixed with the oxides, the reduction of which is to furnish the metals, or by previously sticking together these mixtures in little lumps with the aid of non-siliceous materials (Sabatier and Mailhe). 128. In certain cases the use of inert supports for solid catalysts can lead to serious trouble. When the catalyst is to be heated on a furnace, it is disposed in a thin layer in the tube. By a fear entirely unjustified, in view of the great velocity of diffusion of hot gases, some have doubted the sufficiency of the contact between the gas, circulating too freely in the upper part of the tube, and the catalyst. Guided by this thought, the whole height of the tube has been filled with the pumice impregnated with the catalyst. But these conditions are not favorable, since the temperature varies much from bottom to top of the tube. On the contrary, filling the tube entirely with the catalytic mass presents no inconvenience when the tube is heated all around as, for example, by an electric resistance wound around it. si BRUNEL, Ann. Chim. Phys., (8), 6, 205 (1905). CHAPTER III THE MECHANISM OF CATALYSIS 129. The extreme diversity of catalytic reactions makes it evident that difficulties will be encountered in giving an explanation that will fit all cases. Berzelius, who was the first to define catalytic phenomena and to give them this name (4) did not really furnish any explanation for them and found only vague terms with which to characterize the catalytic force which he regarded as the cause of reactions of this kind. " It is evident," said he, " that the catalytic force acts princi- pally by means of the polarity of the atoms which it augments, diminishes or changes. In other words, the catalytic force manifests itself by the excitation of electrical relations which, up to the present, have escaped our investigation." 1 And he adds: " From all that precedes, it follows necessarily that the sources of power (light, heat, electricity) contain the cause of the activity of matter, which, without their influence, would be inert and in a state of unalterable and eternal repose." To the mind of Berzelius, catalytic forces are then of the order of the sources of power " different effects of one first cause which, under definite circumstances, pass from one modification into another." 2 But their nature remains no less mysterious: the calorific phenomena, sometimes intense, which frequently accompany catalyses, may be the consequences rather than the determining cause. 130. In a great number of catalyses, such as are realized by plati- num black and by finely divided metals prepared by reduction of oxides, the porous state seems, at least at first sight, to be the deter- mining cause of the catalytic activity and this thought is the basis of the explanation that has been given of the mechanism of catalysis and which, accepted readily by many chemists, has been usually elaborated in treatises. 1 BERZELIUS, Traite de Chemie, 2nd Ed., Paris, 1845, I, 112. 2 BERZELIUS, loc. cit., 36. 37 131 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 38 PHYSICAL THEORY OF CATALYSIS 131. Porous materials, whose surfaces are very large as compared with their masses, enjoy the property of absorbing gases with more or less energy. A case of the absorption of gases by solids, that has been much studied, is that of wood charcoal. When 1.57 g. coconut charcoal, corresponding to 1 cc. of compact carbon, has been heated to redness and cooled under mercury, it ab- sorbs in the cold (at 15 and 760 mm.) quite various volumes of gases, all the way from 2 cc. for argon to 178 cc. for ammonia. These volumes increase nearly proportionally with pressure and decrease greatly when the temperature is raised. The volume mentioned above for ammonia shows that this gas, if compressed to a volume equal to the total volume of the charcoal would require a pressure of 178 atmospheres, and as this gas is lique- fied at 15 under 5.5 atmospheres, it is necessary to assume that the ammonia exists in the pores of the charcoal in the liquid condition, in which it would occupy a volume of about 0.2 cc. (from the known density of liquid ammonia). The absorption of the gas by the carbon liberates much heat and this amount of heat is even larger than that obtained by the lique- faction of the gas. Thus the amounts of heat per cubic centimeter of gas are: 8 Absorption by carbon Liquefaction Sulphur dioxide 0.61 to 0.47 cal. 0.26 cal. Ammonia 0.45 to 0.33 cal. 0.20 cal. For ammonia, the heat of absorption is little different from the heat of solution in water and is much larger than the heat of solution in the case of sulphur dioxide. 4 For hydrogen, the heat of absorption by carbon is six times the heat of liquefaction (Dewar). 132. To explain these singular phenomena, it is assumed that the enormous attraction of the surface of the cavities of the wood char- coal causes the accumulation of the gases in the cavities, at pressures which are not very great for the permanent gases (argon, hydrogen, nitrogen), however, exceeding 35 atmospheres for oxygen, but which are very high for the easily liquefiable gases, generally much greater 8 FAVRB and SILBERMANN, Ann. Chim. Phys., (3), 37, 465 (1853). REGNAULT, Ibid., (4), 24, 247 (1871). 4 LE CHATEIJER, Lemons sur le Carbone, Paris, 1908, p. 133. 39 THE MECHANISM OF CATALYSIS 135 than the pressures required for liquefaction: this liquefaction would be actually accompanied by a strong compression of the thin layer of liquid produced on the carbon walls. This compression would be responsible for the excess of the heat of absorption over that of liquefaction. 133. An analogous evolution of heat has been observed when any liquid whatever is absorbed by a solid having a very large surface, such as a fine powder, and is called heat of imbibition. Powdered quartz, with grains averaging 0.005 mm. diameter, disengages per gram, when wetted: With water 14 calories With benzene 4 " Calculating the surface of the grains, the heat of wetting by water appears to be 0.00105 cal. for 1 sq. cm. of quartz at 7. It has been shown likewise, that the wetting by water of 1 g. starch evolves 22 calories, 1 g. wood charcoal, 7 calories, 1 g. alumina, 2 calories. 134. The absorption of gases in the pores of the carbon is equiva- lent to compressing the gases to a greater or less pressure. Simul- taneously there is the liberation of considerable heat by the absorp- tion. It is imagined that the heat and pressure cause reactions to take place. Hydrogen and chlorine may unite in the cold when they meet each other thus in the pores of the carbon, and it is the same way with carbon monoxide and chlorine and with hydrogen sulphide and oxygen. The oxygen which is absorbed combines little by little with the carbon in the cold to give carbon dioxide. When the gases are pumped out of wood charcoal, which has been exposed to air, scarcely anything is obtained except nitrogen and carbon dioxide. It would seem then that porous carbon should be a universal cat- alyst for all gas reactions, lowering the reaction temperatures greatly. However, except for the formation of carbonyl chloride (282) , carbon is a mediocre catalyst and of little use, doubtless because gaseous interchanges do not take place rapidly enough in it. 135. Various powdered substances have greater or less power of absorbing gases, but generally, especially for oxides and salts, this power is not great. Finely divided metals are, in certain cases, able to absorb consid- erable amounts of gases, but this aptitude is always specific and limited to a small number of gases. In the case of charcoal, the amounts of various gases absorbed are roughly in proportion to their 136 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 40 ease of liquefaction, while with metals the absorption is markedly characterized by a sort of selective affinity. 136. It is one of the most difficultly liquefiable gases, hydrogen, that is absorbed the most readily by metallic powders. The maximum of such absorption is shown by palladium, which, in the form of sponge, can absorb 680 to 850 times its own volume of hydrogen, whatever be the pressure of the gas, provided the pressure be not too low: for all of the hydrogen is given up in a vacuum, even in the cold. 5 At 20, platinum black absorbs 110 volumes of hydrogen, what- ever the pressure, provided it is more than 200 mm., and here, like- wise, the hydrogen is given up in a vacuum. 6 Reduced cobalt can absorb 153 volumes of hydrogen, finely divided gold, 46, reduced iron or reduced nickel, up to 19, and reduced copper, only 4. 7 137. The precious metals have an analogous, though less energetic affinity for oxygen. Thus platinum black absorbs up to 100 volumes of oxygen in the cold and here again this amount is not increased by additional pressure and all of the gas is given up in a vacuum. Finely divided gold and silver can also take up greater or less amounts of oxygen. 8 138. The activity of these finely divided metals, as hydrogenation or oxidation catalysts, would then be due to their power to absorb hydrogen or oxygen along with the vapor which is to be transformed. The compression and local heating thus produced would cause the reaction to take place which without this help would have required a much higher temperature, frequently a temperature so high that the products would not be stable. The dehydrations of alcohols which are effected by contact with alumina, would result from the condensation of the alcohol vapors in the pores of the alumina, this condensation producing effects compa- rable to superheating the vapors. 139. The powdered or porous state would be a sufficient condition to produce such effects, since a body containing an infinite number of very small cavities, offers the possibility of realizing simultaneously 6 MONO, RAMSAY, and SHIELDS, Phil Trans. Roy. Soc., 186, 657 (1896). Proc. Roy. Soc., 62, 50 and 290 (1897). DEWAR, Chem. News, 76, 274 (1897). 6 MOND, RAMSAY and SHIELDS, Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc., 186, 675 (1896). 7 MOISSAN, Traite de Chimie Mineral, I, 13. 8 NEUMANN, Monatsh., 13, 40 (1892). MONO, RAMSAY and SHIELDS, Proc. Roy. Soc., 62, 50 (1897) and Zeit. phys. Chem., 25, 657 (1898). RAMSAY and SHIELDS, Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc., 186, 657 (1896). ENGLER and WOCHLER, Zeit. anorg. Chem., 29, 1 (1901). 41 THE MECHANISM OF CATALYSIS 142 all possible temperatures and all possible pressures thus causing a great number of reactions by condensation and heating. 9 To this local pressure, there is added also, in the case of metals, the effect of immediate contact with a good conductor and, consequently, electrical influences which might aid. 10 140. A reaction which, without the aid of the catalyst, would take place at an infinitely slow rate, at the temperature of the experiment, would thus receive, on account of the pressure of the catalyst, an immense acceleration and go to completion in a relatively short time. Catalysis would then be, as Ostwald J1 has defined it, only the acceleration of a chemical phenomenon which otherwise would take place slowly. The presence of the catalyst in the system suppresses the chemical friction which slows up the reaction to the point of stop- ping it entirely. Its role would then be similar to that of oil in clock- work, the movement of which it accelerates, though the forces which produce the movement are not increased. 141. This physical explanation, applicable to all porous catalysts, meets with objections numerous and difficult to get rid of. Right at the start, the cause which determines the condensation of gases and vapors in the pores of a solid remains mysterious and inexplicable; this physical attraction of solids for gaseous substances presents no visible relation to the properties of the gases. The absorp- tion by wood charcoal is indeed greater for gases which are readily liquefied, but it is just the other way with platinum and various metal powders where the gas that is most absorbed is hydrogen which is very difficult to liquefy. The same theory is difficult to apply to the case where hydrogen is taken up with the aid of platinum black or nickel held in suspen- sion in a liquid medium (Chapters XI and XII) , and even more dif- ficult where the catalyst is colloidal platinum or palladium: for it is difficult to see how high local pressures and temperatures could be developed in such cases. 142. Furthermore, a purely physical conception of the causes of the reaction does not take account of the specificity of catalysts and of the remarkable diversity of the effects produced. At the same temperature, 300, the vapors of an alcohol, isobutyl, for example, decompose: in the presence of copper, into aldehyde and hydrogen, exclusively ; in the presence of alumina , into isobutylene and water, exclusively; 9 DUCLAUX, Compt. rend., 152, 1176 (1911). 10 VAN'T HOFF, Lemons de Chim. Phys., 1898, 3, 216. 11 OSTWALD, Rev. Sci., 1902 (1), 640. 143 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 42 in the presence of uranium oxide, both ways, giving at the same time the aldehyde and isobutylene. Manganous oxide gives the same decomposition as copper, only slowly. If we assume that the metallic characteristic of conductivity accounts for the fundamental difference between copper and alumina; we can not explain the differences between alumina, and the oxides of manganese and uranium, if the physical condensation in the pores of the catalyst is the sole cause of catalysis. The action of the catalytic oxide can not be entirely like an eleva- tion of temperature, since the direction of the reaction is intimately connected, not with the physical state of the oxide, but with its chemical nature. 143. The decomposition of formic acid furnishes a no less striking example of the specificity of catalysts (821). Finely divided metals and likewise zinc oxide, decompose this acid into hydrogen and carbon dioxide exclusively, but at the same temperature, titanium oxide gives carbon monoxide and water exclusively, while certain oxides, as thoria, bring about a mixed reaction, more or less complicated by the production of formaldehyde and even of methyl alcohol. Yet from the physical point of view there does not appear to be any great difference between the oxides of zinc, titanium, and thorium. 144. Furthermore, this explanation of catalysis can not possibly apply to the effects of liquid catalysts in homogeneous systems and it is hard to imagine that there are fundamental differences between the various kinds of catalysis. CHEMICAL THEORY OF CATALYSIS 145. An entirely general explanation of catalytic phenomena can be based on the idea of the temporary formation of unstable chemical compounds which, serving as intermediate steps in the reaction, determine its direction or increase its velocity. In order to arrive at a clearer idea of the catalytic mechan- ism, a special case can be first considered which can be classed as catalytic and which can be designated by the name reciprocal catalysis. 146. Reciprocal Catalysis. Suppose two distinct chemical systems capable of reacting independently, each on its own account: however, each one of them, if left to itself, remains in false equilibrium or, at least, reacts with extreme slowness. But if these two systems 43 THE MECHANISM OF CATALYSIS 148 are mixed, they mutually catalyze each other and the two reactions proceed simultaneously very rapidly in correlative proportions. 12 147. An example is furnished by hydrogen peroxide, opposed by chromic acid, H 2 Cr0 4 . The hydrogen peroxide tends to decompose into water and oxygen, but in the cold, this spontaneous decomposi- tion is very slow and would require more than a year. The chromic acid solution, acidified with sulphuric acid, is also stable in the cold, but, if heated it decomposes with evolution of oxygen. On heating, we would have: 3 H 2 2 = 3H 2 + 30 and 2 H 2 Cr0 4 + 3 H 2 S0 4 = Cr 2 (S0 4 ) 3 + 5 H 2 + 30. But if the two solutions are mixed cold, in the exact proportions represented by the formulae above, there is immediate decomposition, simultaneous and complete, of both the hydrogen peroxide and the chromic acid, and this decomposition, manifested by a brisk effer- vescence of oxygen, takes place in such a manner that the amount of oxygen coming from the hydrogen peroxide is exactly -the same as that from the chromic acid. This proportionality indicates the cause of the reaction, which is apparently the production of an unstable combination of hydrogen peroxide and chromic acid in the proportion 3 H 2 2 : 2 H 2 Cr0 4 . As soon as this compound is formed, it decomposes, with liberation of oxygen, leaving water and chromic oxide which dissolves in the sulphuric acid present. This fugitive combination, the temporary formation of which de- stroys the false equilibrum of the two systems, really exists: for it appears as an intense blue coloration, when the two liquids are mixed, and can even be isolated. If a dilute solution of hydrogen peroxide is poured into a slight excess of chromic acid: in place of a stormy effervescence a blue solution is obtained. When this is shaken with ether, the dark blue unstable compound passes into the ether. The evaporation of the ether at 20, leaves a dark blue oil, which, on warming to room temperature, decomposes into chromic oxide, water, and oxygen. We have in succession, 13 2H 2 Cr0 4 + 3 H 2 2 = 4 H 2 + H 2 Cr 2 O 10 H 2 Cr 2 O 10 Cr 2 3 + H 2 + 3 2 . 148. Another example of reciprocal catalysis is offered by an acid solution of potassium permanganate opposed by hydrogen peroxide. 12 SABATIER, Rev. gen. de Chimie pure et app., 17, 185 (1914). 13 MOISSAN, Traite de Chimie Min., I, 275 (1904). 149 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 44 The permanganate which is itself an energetic oxidising agent, reduces the hydrogen peroxide immediately, and is itself reduced. Here again there is exact equality between the amounts of oxygen coming from the two reacting substances. A solution of potassium permanganate, acidified with sulphuric acid, is stable in the cold, but when heated there is a slow reaction: 2 KMnO, + 3 H 2 S0 4 = 2 MnS0 4 + K 2 S0 4 + 3 H 2 + 5 0. Likewise the hydrogen peroxide alone would give very slowly in the cold: 5 H 2 2 = 5 H 2 + 5 0. On mixing the two solutions there is immediately a vigorous effer- vescence, liberating 10 0. The reaction ia quantitative and is used practically for the estimation of hydrogen peroxide by titrating with standard potassium permanganate solution. As in the case of chromic acid, this proportionality indicates the formation of an un- stable compound, the decomposition of which disengages 5 2 ; but in this case it is difficult to detect. According to Berthelot, the perman- ganate acts on hydrogen peroxide to substitute hydroxyl groups for the hydrogen atoms, furnishing a sort of hydrogen tetroxiae: OH OH which is very unstable and soon decomposes into water and 3 0. When the solutions are mixed at 12, the permanganate is de- colorized without the evolution of oxygen, but the colorless tetroxide, stable at 12, decomposes on warming, liberating the oxygen. Po- tassium and caesium tetroxide, which are known, are the alkaline salts of this hydrogen tetroxide. 14 Thus in reciprocal catalysis the simultaneous and correlated re- actions of two systems, which apart only tend to react, are determined by the production of an unstable combination which serves as a common intermediate product for the two reactions. This inter- mediate compound is sometimes visible as in the case of the hydrogen peroxide-chromic acid and sometimes difficult to perceive as in the case of the hydrogen peroxide-permanganate mixture. 149. Induced Catalysis. Suppose a chemical system which tends to react but which remains in false equilibrum or undergoes change infinitely slowly. But if another system which is reacting rapidly in an analogous manner be associated with the first, the first system is drawn into the reaction, without the second seeming to take any " BERTHELOT, Ann. CUm. Phys. (5), 21, 176 (1880) and (7), 22, 433 (1901). 45 THE MECHANISM OF CATALYSIS 151 part in the reaction of the first, except, so to speak, setting it an ex- ample. This may be called induced catalysis, and, as in the case of reciprocal catalysis, there is found to be a proportionality between the two reactions. Frequent examples of reactions of this sort are found among oxida- tions by oxygen gas and are called auto-oxidations. 150. Auto-oxidations. A large number of substances directly oxidisable by oxygen, or by air, stimulate by their own oxidation that of substances which, without this circumstance, would not be directly oxidisable. Thus palladium hydride when allowed to oxidise spontaneously in water solution, causes intense oxidations; indigo is decolorized and potassium iodide is oxidised into potassium hydroxide and iodine; ammonia goes into nitric acid, benzene into phenol, and toluene into benzoic acid. Carbon monoxide is oxidised to the dioxide, an oxida- tion which ozone and hydrogen peroxide are incapable of accomplishing. 15 Ethyl alcohol, exposed to the simultaneous action of sunlight and air, is not appreciably changed, but in the presence of xylene, which is oxidised, the alcohol goes into acetic acid: under the same condi- tions, amyl alcohol gives valeric acid, and mannite yields mannose. 16 Oxidations of the same nature accompany the spontaneous oxida- tion of phosphorus in moist air, of turpentine, of aqueous solutions of pyrogallol, of alkaline sulphites, of ferrous hydroxide, of ammoniacal cuprous salts, of benzaldehyde, etc. Such substances are called auto- oxidisers, and experiment has shown that in every case they render active, that is to say, able to oxidise substances otherwise not attacked, exactly the same amount of oxygen as they use up in their own oxidation. 17 151. The cause of the phenomenon appears to be that the auto- oxidiser takes up oxygen to form a sort of peroxide which is then destroyed in the oxidation of the associated substance. The auto-oxidiser, A, alone would give: / A -f 0Q = A( - oxygen \Q 15 HOPPE-SEYLER, Berichte, 12, 1551 (1879); 16, 1917 (1883); 20, R795 (1887); BAUMANN, Ibid., 16, 2146 (1883); 17, 283 (1884). REMSEN and REISER, Am. Chem. Jour., 4, 154 (1883); 5, 424 (1884). LEEDS, Chem. News, 48, 25 (1883). 18 CIAMICIAN and SILBER, Berichte, 46, 3894 (1912). 17 ENGLER and WILD, Berichte, 30, 1669 (1897). ENGLER, Rev. gen de Chim. pure et app., 6, 288 (1903). 152 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 46 Then in contact with the oxidisable substance, B: X) A' + B = A:O + B:O. \0 stable stable unstable /o The temporary formation of the combination, A . , is the deter- mining cause in the oxidation of the substance B, which would not otherwise have taken place. In the absence of B, the second reaction would have taken place with the aid of a second molecule of A, thus: A( - + A = 2(A:0). \0 Whenever this latter reaction is sufficiently slow, the unstable peroxide can be prepared, by the action of oxygen on the auto-oxidiser alone, and may be kept for a time. Thus turpentine shaken with a large volume of air, forms a peroxide which, later on in the absence of air, can decolorize indigo, cause guaiac tincture to turn blue, or liberate iodine from potassium iodide. The auto-oxidiser, A, is not a catalyst, since it oxidises in pro- portion to its own mass, and since it does not emerge unchanged from the reaction which it has caused. 152. Oxidation Catalysts. Let us suppose that in the case of the auto-oxidiser, A, opposed by the oxidisable substance, B, that the latter can be oxidised not only at the expense of the unstable /O peroxide, A' . , but also by reducing the stable oxide, A:0, we will \p then have the succession of reactions: 7 A( . + B = AO + BO \O AO + B = BO + A regenerated Thus the auto-oxidiser would be entirely regenerated and could again serve as a carrier of the free oxygen to the oxidisable substance. A limited amount of A could serve to oxidise an unlimited amount of B: A would then be an oxidation catalyst. 47 THE MECHANISM OF CATALYSIS 154 153. This condition is realized by cerium salts with glucose in alkaline solution. A cerium salt, dissolved in the presence of potas- sium carbonate, is a colorless auto-oxidiser. We have: Ce(OH) 3 + 2 + Ce(OH) 3 = Ce(OH) 3 .0.0. Ce(OH) 3 unstable peroxide Water reacts with this compound: Ce(OH) 3 .0.0. Ce(OH) 3 + H 2 = Ce(OH) 4 + Ce(OH) 3 .O.OH. eerie hydroxide blood red The blood-red peroxide, when brought into contact with an oxidisable substance, such as potassium arsenite, oxidises it, returning to the state of the stable yellow eerie hydrate. There has been no catalysis. But if glucose is added, the eerie hydrate oxidises the glucose, being itself reduced to cerous hydroxide which can re- commence the cycle of reactions. This is catalysis. 18 It is in this manner that small amounts of manganous salts can cause the direct oxidation of unlimited quantities of pyrogallol or hydroquinone. 19 154. Platinum and Related Metals. The activity of platinum and related metals can be explained by a similar mechanism (243). In contact with oxygen, a sort of unstable peroxide is produced on the surface of the metal, comparable to the A . of the auto- oxidisers. With an oxidisable substance, B, there is production of BO and AO, but the unstable AO oxidises another molecule of B to form BO and free A. Under these conditions the platinum would serve to render the oxygen atomic, and since the platinum is regen- erated in the course of the reaction, the cycle can be repeated indefinitely. The result is that the use of the platinum not only serves to lower the otherwise high temperature required by certain oxidations (e. g. of hydrogen or carbon monoxide) but also to realize other oxidations which can not be accomplished by molecular oxygen at any tempera- ture whatsoever, for example, the liberation of iodine from potassium iodide, which is effected in the cold by aerated 20 platinum black, or 18 JOB, Ann. Chim. Phys., (7), 20, 207 (1900). Compt. rend., 134, 1052 (1902); 136, 45 (1903). 19 BERTRAND, Bull. Soc. Chim., (3), 17, 578 and 619 (1897). VILLERS, Ibid., (3), 17, 675 (1897). 20 ENGLER and WOHLER, Z. anorg. Chem., 29, 1 (1901). 155 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 48 the production of nitric acid from ammonia, by hot platinum sponge. These fixations and liberations of oxygen take place at the surface of the metal and, for that reason, the catalytic power is proportional to the extent of that surface: it is immeasurably greater for platinum sponge, and especially for the black, than for the metal in foil or wire. 155. General Explanation of Catalysis. The idea of a tem- porary unstable combination has served in explaining readily the mechanism of reciprocal catalyses (146), of induced catalyses (150), and also of catalyses in the strict sense of the term, such as direct oxidations (152). This notion can be generalized and applied to all sorts of catalyses. The formation and decomposition of intermediate compounds furnished by the catalysts usually correspond to a diminution of the free energy of the system and this diminution by steps is frequently much easier than the immediate direct diminution, somewhat as the use of a staircase facilitates a descent. Ordinarily these successive step-downs take place quite rapidly, though rapidity is not a neces- sary condition of catalysis. These intermediate compounds can be isolated in a sufficiently large number of cases for us to generalize the idea and assume their formation in cases in which we can not prove their existence. 156. Catalyses in which the Intermediate Compounds can be Isolated. Berthelot has pointed out well defined examples in the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide by alkalies and by silver oxide. We will cite some other examples belonging to very different types. Chlorination of Organic Compounds. In order to facilitate the direct chlorination of a liquid organic compound, iodine is dissolved in it. The chlorine unites with it to form iodine trichloride, IC1 3 , which could be isolated if the iodine were alone, but which, finding itself in contact with the organic substance, gives up chlorine to it returning to the lower state of iodine monochloride which the free chlorine transforms into the trichloride, this process being repeated again and again, thus: IC1 3 + MH = HC1 + MCI + IC1 IC1 + C1 2 IC1,. It can be proved that the chlorination is proportional to the weight of the iodine trichloride. When the operation is carried on with a continuous current of chlorine, the trichloride is constantly re- generated and we have catalysis (278). 157. The mechanism is doubtless the same for all of the anhydrous 49 THE MECHANISM OF CATALYSIS 169 metal chlorides which are used as chlorine carriers in direct chlorina- tion (283). The intermediate products are easy to perceive in the case of the chlorides of antimony, thallium, molybdenum, etc., where several different degrees of chlorination are known of which the highest are formed by direct action of chlorine, and which give up chlorine to the organic substance, returning to the lower stages which again take up chlorine. It is harder to see in the case of aluminum chloride, for which, by analogy, we must also assume a higher chloride, possibly due to the supplementary valencies of the chlorine atoms. 21 158. Manufacture of Sulphuric Acid. The manufacture of sulphuric acid in the lead chamber process employs, as catalyst, nitric oxide which intimately mixed with the reacting gases (sulphur di- oxide, oxygen of the air, and water vapor) serves to render rapid the reaction which would otherwise take place slowly. The produc- tion of an intermediate product is doubted by no one although there is not entire agreement as to the true nature of such compound. 159. Action of Sulphuric Acid on Alcohol. The mechanism of the action of concentrated sulphuric acid on alcohol is well known and is designated by the name of Williamson's reaction. 22 The first reaction is the production of ethyl sulphuric acid: CH 3 CH 2 OH + H 2 S0 4 = H 2 + CH 3 CH 2 . . S0 8 H. The latter, at 140, reacts with a second molecule of alcohol to form ether, regenerating sulphuric acid: CH 3 CH 2 . . S0 3 H + CH 3 CILOH = H 2 S0 4 + (CH 3 CH 2 ) 2 0. The sulphuric acid can again form ethyl sulphuric acid and so on indefinitely, since the temperature is high enough to cause the elimi- nation of the water along with the ether. Theoretically the action should continue indefinitely: it is a well defined case of catalysis. But a portion of the sulphuric acid is reduced to sulphur dioxide gradually diminishing the amount of the acid. If the mixture is heated higher, towards 160-170, the ethyl sul- phuric acid is rapidly decomposed into sulphuric acid and ethylene: CH 3 CH 2 . . S0 3 H = H 2 S0 4 + CH 2 : CH 2 . The regenerated sulphuric acid can repeat the reaction on the alcohol and hence is a catalyst for the formation of ethylene from 21 It is possible to consider this a case of the FRIBDBL and CRAFTS reaction, the aluminum chloride combining with the hydrocarbon to form an intermediate complex which reacts readily with C1-C1 as it does with C1R. E. E. R. 22 WILLIAMSON, /. Chem. Soc., 4, 106, 229 and 350 (1852). 160 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 50 unlimited amounts of alcohol and can continue this function so long as it is not too much diminished by reduction to sulphur dioxide. This reduction is more serious in this case as the reaction temperature is higher. 160. Hydrogen Peroxide. In the catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide by alkalies and alkaline earths, unstable inter- mediate compounds are plainly formed and can be isolated. 23 The intermediate steps are equally visible in many catalyses brought about in gaseous and liquid media by solid catalysts. 161. Squibb's Method. A fine example is the method of Squibb for the preparation of acetone 24 (837) . If acetic acid vapors are passed over calcium carbonate heated to 400, calcium acetate is produced with the liberation of carbon dioxide. If the acid is discontinued and the temperature is raised to 500, the calcium acetate is decomposed, regenerating the car- bonate and liberating acetone: At 400 2 CH 3 C0 2 H + CaC0 3 = C0 2 + H 2 + (CH 3 C0 2 ) 2 Ca At 500 (CH 3 C0 2 ) 2 Ca = CaCO 3 + CH 3 . CO . CH 3 . If the acetic acid is passed over the calcium carbonate at 500, it is evident that the first reaction will tend to take place with the formation of calcium acetate, but this would decompose immediately to form acetone: the calcium carbonate would then be a catalyst (839), the reaction being: 2 CH 3 C0 2 H = C0 2 + H 2 + CH 3 . CO . CH 3 . 162. Catalytic Oxidation by Copper. If a current of oxygen is passed over copper heated to 250, a layer of oxide is formed: if the vapors of an organic compound, such as an aliphatic hydro- carbon, are passed over the copper so oxidised, at the same tempera- ture, they are immediately oxidised with the production of water, carbon dioxide, etc., and with regeneration of metallic copper. If the hydrocarbon vapors and the oxygen are sent together over the copper at the same temperature, there is production of the oxide and immediate reduction of the oxide by the hydrocarbon; the copper functions as a catalyst. The total heat of oxidation may be great enough to carry the metal, on the surface of which it is taking place, to incandescence. 25 It is easy to see that copper oxide is the inter- mediate step. 23 SCHONE, Annalen, 192, 257 (1878) and 193, 241 (1878). BERTHELOT, Ann. Chim. Phys., (5), 21, 153 (1880). 2 * SQUIBB, J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 17, 187 (1895) and 18, 231 (1896). CONROY, J. Soc. Chem. Ind., 21, 302 (1902). Rev. gen. Sc., 13, 563 (1902). 25 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 142, 1394 (1905). 51 THE MECHANISM OF CATALYSIS 166 163. Action of Nickel on Carbon Monoxide. Another example of the same kind is furnished by the destruction of carbon monoxide by nickel at 300. Carbon monoxide acting on reduced nickel around 100, produces nickel carbonyl, Ni(CO) 4 . This warmed to about 150 decomposes completely into carbon monoxide and nickel, while from 250 to 300, it decomposes entirely differently, into nickel, carbon, and carbon dioxide: Ni(CO) 4 = Ni + 2C + 2C0 2 . If carbon monoxide is passed over nickel at 150, there appears to be no action since the nickel carbonyl that is formed is decomposed immediately, in place, into carbon monoxide and carbon. If the operation is carried on at 300, there should still be the production of nickel carbonyl but it is at once decomposed into carbon dioxide, carbon, and nickel. The regenerated nickel can carry on the trans- formation of carbon monoxide into carbon and carbon dioxide indefinitely. 164. Catalyses in which the Intermediate Compounds can not be Isolated. In the cases given above, the intermediate products which serve as stepping-stones for the reaction can be readily ob- served and even isolated as well defined chemical compounds, but in more numerous cases, these intermediate steps are difficult to per- ceive and it is only by analogies that we can surmise their nature with more or less uncertainty. 165. Hydrogenation by Finely Divided Metals. The catalytic role of finely divided metals, nickel, copper, platinum, etc., in direct hydrogenation is easily explained by the assumption of unstable hy- drides on their surfaces. 26 Such condensation of hydrogen actually takes place to a certain extent, as we have seen above (136), and particularly with palladium, a really definite combination takes place in the cold. This has only a feeble dissociation pressure and has been assigned the formula, Pd 3 H 2 , by Dewar. 27 26 According to WILLSTATTER and WALDSCHMIDT-LEITZ (Berichte, 54, 120 (1921) ) oxygen must be present for hydrogenation to take place. They assume that the platinum combines with the oxygen first to form a sort of peroxide which then unites with the hydrogen: /O /O H\ /O pt + 2 -> Pt and Pt + H 2 ^ Pi \0 \0 H/ \0 This peroxide hydride is the active intermediate compound, passing its hydrogen on to the substance to be hydrogenated and taking up more. E. E. R. 27 DEWAR, Chem. News, 76, 274 (1897). 166 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 52 The hydrogen thus combined with palladium is able to produce many reactions which free hydrogen can not. It combines directly in the cold and in the dark with chlorine and with iodine as well as with oxygen. 28 It reduces chlorates to chlorides, nitrates to nitrites, ferric salts to ferrous, mercuric to mercurous, potassium ferricyanide to ferrocyanide, indigo blue to indigo white, sulphur dioxide to hydro- gen sulphide, and arsenic trioxide to arsenic. 29 It transforms benzoyl chloride into benzaldehyde and nitrobenzene into aniline. 30 166. Hydrogen occluded by platinum produces analogous effects. 31 Thus when the vapors of nitrobenzene are directed onto platinum black previously charged with hydrogen, all the hydrogen which is present is utilized in the production of aniline. If at this moment, more hydrogen is introduced, a new fixation takes place followed by a further reduction of nitrobenzene. If the hydrogen and nitrobenzene vapors arrive simultaneously, there will be continuous reduction of the latter; the platinum is a hydrogenation catalyst. The catalysis appears to be a consequence of the occlusion of the hydrogen, that is to say, of the formation of a sort of combination of the hydrogen and the metal and the use of platinum as a catalyst is advantageous since the interchange of gases is rapid with it. Palladium, although it absorbs much more hydrogen, is usually inferior to platinum, probably because the hydrogen is not given up rapidly enough to the molecules to be hydrogenated. 167. Copper, iron, cobalt, and especially nickel, reduced from their oxides are still more advantageous, although they can retain only small amounts of free hydrogen, probably because the forma- tion and decomposition of the hydrogen addition products are much more rapid. With nickel, the process goes on as if there were formed, on the surface, an actual unstable hydride capable of liberating hydrogen in the atomic condition and consequently more active than the original molecular hydrogen. The facts lead even to the idea that there are two stages in the fixation of hydrogen such as ! and Ni( ; Ni 11 \H the latter more active combination being formed by metal reduced from the oxide below 300 and capable of more kinds of work. The former, less active combination, would be produced by nickel reduced above 700, or made from the chloride and able to hydrogenate ethy- 28 BOETTGER, Berichte, 6, 1396 (1873). 29 GLADSTONE and TRIBE, Chem. News, 37, 68 (1878). 80 KOLBE and SAYTZEFP, J. prakt. Chem., (2), 4, 418 (1871). 81 GLADSTONE and TRIBE, loc. cit. COOKE, Chem. News, 58, 103 (1888). 53 THE MECHANISM OF CATALYSIS 170 lenic compounds, nitriles, and nitro bodies but not the aromatic nucleus. The catalytic hydrogenation of an ethylene hydrocarbon would be represented by: H 2 + Ni 2 Ni 2 H 2 . Ni 2 H 2 + C 2 H 4 = C 2 H 6 + Ni 2 . The regenerated nickel would continue indefinitely to produce this effect so long as the hydrogen and ethylene continued to arrive simultaneously. 168. If finely divided metals with free hydrogen give quickly formed and readily decomposable unstable hydrides, they should also be able to take hydrogen from substances which hold it only feebly and should be dehydrogenation catalysts. In general, experiment has verified this prediction (651). 169. Dehydration by Anhydrous Oxides. The dehydration of alcohols by certain oxides, as alumina, thoria, etc., can be interpreted readily by a close analogy to Williamson's reaction. These oxides can be regarded as the anhydrides of metallic hy- droxides capable of exercising the acid function, whether exclusively acid as with silicic or titanic acid, or either acid or basic (hydroxides of aluminum, thorium, chromium, etc.). Thus with alumina, the alcohol vapor would give an unstable aluminate which in contact with alcohol would decompose to give ether, or at a higher temperature would immediately decompose evolving ethylene; the regenerated alumina would be able to carry on this reaction indefinitely: A1 2 3 + 2CH 2n+1 .OH = H 2 + Al 2 2 (OC n H 2n+1 ) 2 Then 2C n H 2n+ i.OH + Al 2 2 (OC n H 2 n+i) 2 = 2(C n H 2n+1 ) 2 O + A1 2 O 2 (OH) 2 ether and A1 2 2 (OH) 2 = H 2 O + A1 2 8 or AI 2 2 (OC n H 2n+1 ) 2 2C n H 2n + A1 2 2 (OH) 2 hydrocarbon which would be immediately followed by the dehydration of the alumina. Such alcoholates can be isolated in various ways, for example, aluminum ethylate, which is decomposed cleanly into ethylene and alumina. 32 In the case of methyl alcohol, only the first sort of reaction is pos- sible, but in most other cases the other takes place exclusively. 88 170. It would be the same way with thoria which would furnish with alcohol vapors, a sort of thorium alcoholate which the heat de- 32 GLADSTONE and TRIBE, Jour. Chem. Soc., 41, 5 (1882). 88 SABATIER and MAILHE, Ann. Chim. Phys., (8), ao, 349 (1910). 171 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 54 composes into an ethylene hydrocarbon and thoria, which is capable of reproducing the same effect indefinitely. If this is the case, this sort of ester would be capable of reacting chemically with various substances with which it is brought into contact and experiments have bountifully confirmed the predictions made by Sabatier and Mailhe on this point. 34 In contact with thoria, alcohol vapors react directly with hydro- gen sulphide to give mercaptans (743), with ammonia to form amines (732), with phenols to produce mixed ethers (789), and with aliphatic acids to yield esters (762). 171. Decomposition of Acids. In the decomposition of aliphatic acids by anhydrous oxides it is frequently easy to perceive the inter- mediate compound which serves as a stepping stone in the reaction; namely, the salt formed by the acid and the oxide. It appears un- decomposed at temperatures lower than those used in the catalysis, as is the case with lime and zinc oxide (841). At a higher tempera- ture the salt is immediately decomposed to form the ketone. This intermediate formation ceases to be apparent when the acid is passed over the oxide at a higher temperature, because the forma- tion of the salt is then balanced by its rapid destruction. For certain oxides, as thoria and titania, it can not even be perceived since, doubtless, the formation does not take place at a lower temperature than the decomposition, but the analogy is so close that we can not fail to assume similar mechanisms with all of the oxides. 172. In the decomposition of formic acid by metals or oxides (821), the intermediate compounds would be formed either from the hydrogen (passing over the metals), or from the carbon dioxide (fixed by the zinc oxide), or from the formic acid itself giving with the oxide a formate the decomposition of which would vary according to its nature. The molecule of this acid is a structure with little stability, tending to decompose in the two directions, into CO + H 2 or into C0 2 + H 2 ; the affinity of the catalyst giving a transient com- pound, decides the direction. 173. The Friedel and Crafts Reaction. The catalytic activity of anhydrous aluminum chloride in the Friedel and Crafts reaction (884) can be explained by the production of a temporary combination between the chloride and the organic material. Thus with aromatic hydrocarbons, we would have: C 6 R 5 H + A1C1, = HC1 + AT \C R 5 34 SABATIER and MAILHE, Corn-pi, rend., 150, 823 (1910). 55 THE MECHANISM OF CATALYSIS 175 The latter compound would react immediately on the halogen derivative present and we would have: ^Cl, Al f + R'Cl = A1C1 3 + R'.C,R 5 . C 6 R 5 regenerated The regenerated aluminum chloride would react again with the hydrocarbon and the same reactions would be repeated. It is then a catalyst and a small amount of the salt should effect the trans- formation of an unlimited amount of the mixture. This is in fact what takes place in some cases where the aluminum chloride can con- dense a hundred tunes its own weight of benzene with other molecules. 174. Practically, it is often necessary to employ large amounts of the aluminum chloride, sometimes even several times the weight of the aromatic hydrocarbon. For this reason some chemists have questioned the catalytic role of the chloride. It is, however, not to be doubted, as the necessity of sometimes using such large amounts of the catalyst is due either to the tardiness of the reaction in some cases and the desire to hasten it by providing for the formation of a large amount of the required intermediate compound or, in other cases, to the fact that the aluminum chloride forms stable combina- tions with some of the reactants which withdraw a portion of it from the reaction. The reality of the formation of addition products of the aluminum chloride with the organic compounds has been estab- lished by Gustavson who has been able to isolate an addition product with benzene, an orange colored oil, A1C1 3 .3C 6 H 6 , decomposable by water, 35 and in the case of the mixture of benzene and ethyl chloride, A1C1 3 .(C 2 H 4 ) 2 .3C 6 H 6 , which heat dissociates into benzene and , which is stable and serves as catalyst for the trans- (C,H 4 C1) 2 formation of the mixture. 36 175. Action of Acids and Bases in Hydrolysis. In the de- compositions by addition of water, or hydrolyses, such as the saponi- fication of esters by strong mineral acids (313), or by strong bases (318), the inversion of cane sugar, the decomposition of glucosides (327) , or of acetals and, inversely, in the production of esters in pres- ence of small amounts of mineral acids (749), the active factors of the catalysis appear to be the ions resulting from the electrolytic dis- sociation of the acid or base- 37 The activity of the catalyst is closely 35 GUSTAVSON, Berichte, n, 2151 (1878). 36 GUSTAVSON, Compt. rend., 136, 1065 (1903); 140, 940 (1905). 37 VAN'T HOFF, Lemons Chim. Phys., 1898, III, 140. 176 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 56 connected with the amount of this dissociation and the velocity is proportional to the number of free ions in the solution. 176. In saponifications catalyzed by soluble; bases, the active factors are the hydroxyl ions resulting from the electrolytic dissocia- tion of the base and we are justified in believing that the attack on the molecule of ester, ROA, derived from the oxy-acid AOH, is the work of the OH ions derived from the base. Thus with caustic potash we would have: ( ROA + + -ROH+ + litiF [ K J Ifoohof [K The ionized salt, AOK, is formed in the solution, but as the corre- sponding organic acid, AOH, is only slightly dissociated into ions, water hydrolyzes the salt to give: The acid, AOH, is thus liberated and the ions of the original caus- tic potash are free to recommence their catalytic action. In the saponification of esters by acids it is the hydrogen ions that cause the effect. Thus with hydrochloric acid, we have: (HI (A) ROA+I - } = ROH + \ - \ ^ (Clj Stoohoi (Clj But there is immediate reaction with water to give: + + fAl (H) i-[+H 2 = AOH + -}- (Clj mss (cij The regenerated ions of the initial molecule of hydrochloric acid can repeat the reaction and so indefinitely. Esterification is brought about according to the same mechanism but in the inverse direction. 178. The velocity of a hydrolysis of this sort is proportional to the number of ions that are active in producing it. With the strong acids at such dilutions that they may be regarded as completely dis- sociated, the effect will be independent of the nature of the acid and proportional to the concentration only. This has been verified for hydrochloric, hydrobromic, hydriodic, nitric and chloric acids. 38 It s * OSTWALD, J. prakt. Chem., (2), 28, 449 (1883). 57 THE MECHANISM OF CATALYSIS 180 is the same way with strong soluble bases, potassium, sodium, barium, and calcium hydroxides in sufficiently dilute solutions. 39 179. Catalysis in general appears to be the result of purely chemical phenomena accomplished by the aid of the catalyst which gives, with one of the elements of the primitive system, a temporary unstable combination, the decomposition of which, or the reaction of which, with one of the other reactants, determines the transformation of the system, the catalyst being regenerated in its original condition and able to repeat the reaction indefinitely. 180. Ostwald has criticised the conception of the formation of intermediate compounds because it does not rest on a sufficiently exact knowledge of the reactions and because it would be further necessary to prove that the succession of reactions assumed requires less time than the direct reaction, and adds that no theory is of value in the absence of exact measurements. To tell the truth, we do not know much more as to the true nature of the absorption of gases and vapors by porous catalysts or even by wood charcoal; this absorption, or occlusion, which is determined by a sort of selective affinity between the gas and the solid is a real solution penetrating to a certain depth in the solid and similar to the temporary combination which we have assumed, the differentia- tion of chemical and physical phenomena being always uncertain. The theory of catalysis by means of intermediate compounds still contains many obscurities and has the fault of leaning frequently on the assumption of hypothetical intermediate products which we have not yet been able to isolate, but it is the only hypothesis that is able to explain catalysis in homogeneous solution and has the merit of applying to all cases. As far aS I am concerned, this idea of temporary unstable inter- mediate compounds has been the beacon light that has guided all my work on catalysis; its light may, perhaps, be dimmed by the glare of lights, as yet unsuspected, which will arise in the better explored field of chemical knowledge. 40 Actually, such as it is, in spite of its imperfections and gaps, the theory appears to us good because it is fertile and permits, in a useful way, to foresee reactions. 39 REICHER, Annalen, 228, 275 (1885). OSTWALD, J. prakt. Chem., (2), 35, 112 (1887). ARRHENIUS, Zeit. phys. Chem., i, 110 (1887). BUGARSZKY, Ibid., 8, 418 (1891)., 40 SABATIER, Berichte, 44, 2001 (1911). 180a CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 58 THEORIES OF CONTACT CATALYSIS By WILDER D. BANCROFT 180a. For purposes of discussion the theories of contact catalysis may be grouped under three headings: 1. Stoichiometric theory. 2. Adsorption theory. 3. Radiation theory. The Stoichiometric theory is the one most commonly held because it involves nothing new or strange. According to this theory, one or more of the reacting substances forms with the catalytic agent a definite compound which then reacts in such a way as to give the final products. In the catalysis of hydrogen peroxide by mercury, the intermediate formation of mercuric peroxide 41 can be detected by the eye, because there is an intermittent building-up of a film which then breaks down, only to grow again. The formation of graphite is usually preceded by the formation of a carbide. The conversion of acetic acid into acetone 42 by passing the vapor over heated barium carbonate presumably involves the intermediate for- mation of barium acetate. In the catalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide it is usually believed that there is an alternate oxidation and reduction of the oxides which act as catalytic agents. Hydrogen peroxide is said to oxidize cobaltic oxide to peroxide and to be de- composed catalytically by cobaltic oxide. 43 Nickel peroxide reacts quantitatively with hydrogen peroxide; but the resulting oxide is not converted back into peroxide by hydrogen peroxide and consequently does not decompose it catalytically. 180b. While there are undoubtedly many cases of contact catalysis which come under this general head, it does not follow that this is the only type. It seems improbable that it would be so difficult to make carbon tetrachloride if the chlorine, which is absorbed by car- bon and thereby made active, 44 were present as a definite compound of carbon and chlorine. Oxygen absorbed by charcoal will oxidize ethyl alcohol to acetic acid 45 and ethylene to carbon dioxide and water, reactions which certainly are not characteristic of any known 41 BREDIG and VON ANTROPOFF, Zeit. Elektrochemie, 12, 585 (1906); VON ANTROPOFF, Jour, prakt. Chem., (2), 77, 273 (1908). 42 SQUIBB, Jour. Am. Chem. Soc., 17, 187 (1895). 43 BAYLEY, Phil. Mag., (5), 7, 126 (1879). 44 DAMOISEAU, Compt. rend., 73, 60 (1876). 48 CALVERT, Jour. Chem. Soc., 20, 293 (1867). 59 THE MECHANISM OF CATALYSIS 180d - oxide of carbon. It is very important that we should decide in each particular case whether a definite intermediate compound is formed and, if so, what compound. Only in this way can we escape from the haziness which handicaps so much of the work on catalysis. For instance, it seems obvious to account for the hydrogenating power of pulverulent nickel by postulating the formation of an unstable hydride ; but the recent work of Professor Taylor of Princeton shows that no hydride is formed. It is easy to account for the different action of nickel, thoria, and titania on ethyl acetate by postulating the formation of intermediate compounds; but there is no experi- mental evidence that these hypothetical compounds would break down in the desired way if formed. To this day people are not agreed as to what intermediate compound is formed in the Deacon chlorine process. 180c. The absorption theory does not postulate the intermediate formation of definite chemical compounds. The assumption is that the absorption of the substances to be catalyzed makes them more active chemically. This may occur in different ways. Since the reaction velocity is a function of the concentration, it was natural to ascribe the catalysis of oxyhydrogen gas by platinum to the in- creased concentration at the surface of the metal. This seems to have been disproved by the recent experiments in which oxyhydrogen gas is reported to be quite stable in presence of an alkaline solution when under a pressure of three thousand atmospheres. This explana- tion will not suffice to account for the cases in which the same sub- stance decomposes in one way in presence of one catalytic agent and in another way in presence of another. On the other hand, the in- crease in concentration must have an effect in some cases and it seems probable that this could be found most easily if one studies a re- action which takes place at a measurable rate in the absence of a catalytic agent, say ester formation, and if one takes an extremely non-specific absorbent, such as Patrick's silica gel. 180d. Langmuir 46 considers that an adsorbed gas is held chemi- cally by the unsaturated valences at the surface of the solid, thus forming a new type of compound which I have called indefinite compounds because they are not of the ordinary type and because no definite formulas can be written for them. In the case of the adsorption of argon by charcoal, for instance, we should have to write C x Ar y where x varies with the mass of the charcoal and y with its surface as well as with the pressure and temperature. Chemical reactions may take place either between adjacent atoms 46 Jour. Am. Chem. Soc., 37, 1139 (1915); 38, 1145 (1916). 180e CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 60 on the surface or when gas molecules strike molecules or atoms on the surface. So far as the catalytic part is concerned this is much the same as the view of Debus. 47 " If now a piece of platinum is placed in peroxide of hydrogen, the molecules of the latter will place themselves in such a position on the surface of the platinum that one oxygen atom of the peroxide is turned towards the platinum and as near to it as possible. The peroxide is polarized. But this has the effect also of bringing the oxygen atoms of different molecules of peroxide in such close proximity on the surface of the metal that they can combine to form common oxygen, the decomposition of the peroxide into water and oxygen and the development of energy being the consequence. The action of the platinum places the molecules of the peroxide in the position oj reaction towards each other." 180e. Langmuir has contemplated the possibility of a reaction between two adsorbed molecules and between one adsorbed and one free molecule. The second case is one in which a more effective col- lision is produced. This is a perfectly legitimate hypothesis. According to the kinetic theory the reaction velocity is proportional to the number of collisions between possibly reacting molecules; but it does not follow at all that two molecules react every tune they collide. If a large number of collisions is necessary on an aver- age before a pair of molecules react, anything which would make these collisions more helpful might increase the reaction velocity enormously. The first question is then whether there is any evidence of ineffective collisions. This matter has been studied by Strutt 48 who comes to the conclusion that a molecule of ozone reacts every time it strikes a molecule of silver oxide; but that a molecule of ac- tive nitrogen collides with a molecule of copper oxide five hundred times on an average before they react, while two molecules of ozone at 100 collide on an average 6 x 10 11 times before they react. With- out insisting on the absolute accuracy of these figures there is evi- dently plenty of margin for an increase in reaction velocity with ozone at 100 if one could produce more effective collisions. Lang- muir 49 finds that, at a pressure of not over 5 bars, and at 2770 K, 15% of all oxygen molecules striking a tungsten filament react with it to form tungstic oxide, W0 3 . This coefficient increases at higher temperatures and at 3300 K about 50% of all the oxygen molecules which strike the filament react with it to form tungstic oxide. 4T Jour. Chem. Soc., 53, 327 (1888) ; Cf. HUFNER, Jour, prakt. chem., (2), 10, 385 (1874). Proc. Roy. Soc., 87, A, 302 (1912). 49 Jour. Am. Chem. Soc., 35, 105 (1913); 38, 2270 (1916). 61 THE MECHANISM OF CATALYSIS I80g 180f. It is possible that a catalytic agent may cause one molecule to strike another amidships instead of head-on and may thereby increase the effectiveness of the collisions. It is not impossible that part, at least, of the effect of solvents on reaction velocity may be due to some such thing as this. If we adopt the views of Debus and Langmuir on oriented adsorption, all sorts of things become possible. If ethyl acetate, for instance, attaches itself to one adsorbent by the methyl group, to another by the ethyl group, and to a third by the carboxyl group, it might very well be that bombardment of the cap- tive molecule by free ones might lead to very different reaction products in the three cases. Such a suggestion is of very little value, however, unless it can be made definite. We do not know as yet whether ethyl acetate is actually adsorbed in one way by nickel, in another way by thoria, and in a third way by titania, nor do we know whether the difference in the manner of adsorption, assuming it to occur, is of such a nature as to account for the differences in the reaction products. 180g. It is possible not to make an assumption as to the precise way in which adsorption takes place and merely to consider the sur- face of the solid as acting like a solvent. If the chemical potential of a possible reaction product is lowered in any way, there is an in- creased tendency for that reaction product to form. 50 If one treats a substance with a dehydrating agent, the tendency to split off water is increased. If a substance like alcohol can react in two different ways, we should expect a given catalytic agent to accelerate the re- action producing the reaction products which are adsorbed the most strongly by that catalytic agent. 51 This appears to happen in the simpler cases. Ipatief 52 states that the decomposition of alcohol into ethylene and water in presence of heated alumina is due to the taking up of water by the alumina. That alumina takes up water very strongly was shown by Johnson, 53 who found that up to a cer- tain point alumina adsorbs water vapor as completely as does phos- phorus pentoxide. Sabatier attributed the decomposition of alcohol into acetaldehyde and hydrogen in presence of pulverulent nickel to the tendency to formation of a nickel hydride. Both he and Ipatief assume the formation of definite compounds; but the argument is just as strong in case we postulate that the catalytic agent adsorbs the reaction products strongly instead of combining with them. An 60 MILLER, Jour. Phys. Chem., i, 636 (1897). 81 BANCROFT, Jour. Phys. Chem., 21, 591 (1917). 52 Berichte, 37, 2986 (1904). 68 Jour. Am. Chem. Soc., 34, 911 (1912). 180h CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 62 excess of the adsorbed reaction product should cut down the rate of reaction and that is the case. When working at high pressures, the first stage in the dehydration of alcohol in presence of heated alumina is the production of ether. When an equimolecular mixture of ether and water is passed over alumina at 400, practically no ethylene is formed. 54 Engelder 55 showed that presence of water vapor decreased very markedly the rate of decomposition of ethyl alcohol by alumina. Titania causes alcohol to split both into acetaldehyde and hydrogen and into ethylene and water. Engelder showed that addition of hydrogen to the alcohol vapor increased the relative yield of ethylene and addition of water vapor increased the relative yield of acetalde- hyde, though the difference was not as marked as one might have wished. A somewhat similar result appears to have been obtained unconsciously by Berthelot 56 fifty years ago. He heated formic acid at 260 without any specified catalytic agent and found that when only a third of the formic acid is decomposed the reaction appears to be HC0 2 H = CO + H 2 0. If all the formic acid is decomposed, the reaction is approximately 2 HC0 2 H = CO + H 2 + C0 2 + H 2 . This unexpected result can only be true in case the reaction HC0H = C0 H 2 predominates during the latter part of the decomposition and this can happen only in case the original decomposition products check the initial reaction and thus permit the second reaction to come to the fore. The experiments by Berthelot should be repeated so as to make sure that they are right and that the suggested explanation is the true one. 180h. While this seems very satisfactory, there are certain points which must not be overlooked. When making ethylene at Edgewood Arsenal during the war, it was found advisable to have a large amount of steam present with the alcohol vapor in order to make temperature regulation easier. This undoubtedly decreased the rate of decompo- sition of the alcohol; but that difficulty was overcome by working at a higher temperature. I find it very difficult to see how alumina can dehydrate alcohol in presence of a large amount of water vapor if the reason the alumina acts is because of its strong adsorption of water vapor. In spite of the fact that the theory of the selective 6 * IPATIEF, Berichte, 37, 2996 (1904). 55 Jour. Phys. Chem., 21, 676 (1917). 66 Ann. Chim. Phys., (4), 18, 42 (1869). 63 THE MECHANISM OF CATALYSIS 180j adsorption of the reaction products undoubtedly contains a great amount of truth, it must be admitted that, as now formulated, it is not the final word. It must be modified before it can be considered as satisfactory. If it breaks down temporarily in the simple case of the decomposition of alcohol, it is not surprising that we cannot as yet predict the decompositions of the esters by means of it. 180i. The whole problem of catalysis has been put in a general but vague form by Baly and Krulla and Baly and Rice 57 who con- sider that we have a partial conversion of one or more reacting sub- stances into active forms through opening up fields of force by the rupture of normal valence or of contra-valences. The trouble with this is that it is as yet too vague to be of much value as a working hypothesis, though it makes an admirable starting-point. Methods must be devised for showing in each particular case what particular valences or contra-valences are ruptured as a preliminary step in the reaction. 180j. The radiation theory postulates that the catalytic agent emits radiations which convert one or more of the reacting substances into active modifications. Miss Woker 58 has given a sketch of the earlier speculations as to radiation. The only one which has sur- vived is that of Barendrecht, 59 and his calculations have been criticized severely by Henri. 60 Kriiger 61 has attempted to account for a number of phenomena in homogeneous solutions by postulating infra-red radiation. This idea has been developed by W. C. McC. Lewis 62 and applied to the change of reaction velocity with the temperature and to contact catalysis. More recently, Pen-in 63 has put forward similar views without making any reference to the work of others. Lewis believes that the catalytic agents emit infra-red rays which activate the reacting substance. This would seem to make it possible for a catalytic agent to act at a distance; but this difficulty can be avoided by assuming that the intensity of the infra- red radiation is so low that it is effective only when the distances are molecular. An interesting case comes up in homogeneous solu- 57 Jour. Chem. Soc., 101, 1469, 1475 (1912). Die Katalyse, p. 60 (1910). 59 Zeit. phys. Chem., 49, 456 (1904); 54, 367 (1906); Proc. Ron. Akad. Wet. Amsterdam, 22, 29 (1919). eo Zeit. phys. Chem., 51, 19 (1905). 61 Zeit. Elektrochemie, 17, 453 (1911). 62 Jour. Chem. Soc., 105, 2330 (1914); 107, 233 (1915); 109, 55, 67, 796 (1916); in, 457, 1036 (1917); 113, 471 (1918); 115, 182 (1919); System of Physical Chemistry, 3, 138 (1919). 63 PERRIN, Ann. Physique, (9), u, 5 (1919). 180k CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 64 tions. Methyl acetate has a strong absorption band between 5/w. and 11 /A the hydrogen ion is supposed to emit wave-lengths over the range 1.1-11 ft, and hydrogen ion catalyzes methyl acetate solutions. Professor Rideal of the University of Illinois has shown that infra-red radiations corresponding to the absorption band of methyl acetate do accelerate the reaction between methyl acetate and water; but this would happen on any hypothesis. It has not been shown that the catalytic action of the infra-red rays supposed to be emitted by hydrogen ion corresponds quantitatively with the catalytic action of the hydrogen ion. This might be a difficult thing to estab- lish to the satisfaction of the doubters ; but there is a test which would probably be accepted as crucial by everybody. Heated nickel de- composes ethyl acetate into propane and carbon dioxide; heated thoria converts it into acetone, ethyl alcohol, ethylene and carbon dioxide; while heated titania changes it into acetic acid and ethylene. 64 If somebody would produce these three sets of reactions separately by means of infra-red radiations with no catalytic agent present, the radiation theory would have a standing which it does not have at present. Since alumina is very permeable to infra-red radia- tions and ferrous oxide is not, 65 the latter should be a very efficient catalytic agent according to the radiation theory. This has not been tested so far as I know. Tyndall 66 states that gum arabic is prac- tically impermeable to infra-red radiations. If this is true, gum arabic should catalyze the hydrolysis of methyl acetate enormously if the radiation theory is sound. 180k. This brief sketch of the theories of contact catalysis shows how unsatisfactory our present knowledge is. This is due to the in- accurate and incomplete way in which the single reactions have been studied. We do not know which cases involve definite intermediate compounds and which do not. When we are agreed that definite intermediate compounds are formed, we do not agree as to their nature. We talk about breaking normal valences or contra-valences ; but we do not specify which valences or which contra-valences. When ethyl alcohol is decomposed by pulverulent nickel into acetal- dehyde and hydrogen, does molecular hydrogen split off or do the two hydrogens come off separately? If the latter happens does the first hydrogen come from the hydroxyl group or not? When ethyl alcohol is decomposed by alumina into ethylene and water, does water, hydro- gen, or hydroxyl come off first? It can hardly be water because it is possible to stop the reaction at the intermediate stage of ether, 64 SABATIEB and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 152, 669 (1911). 65 ZSIGMONDY, Dingler's Poly tech. Jour., (6), 37, 17, 68, 108; 39, 237 (1893). 66 Fragments of Science: Radiant Heat and its Relations. 65 THE MECHANISM OF CATALYSIS 180n and it is probably not monatomic hydrogen because that is what happens with nickel. If the first stage is a splitting off of hydroxyl, does the other hydrogen come from the adjacent carbon atom giving ethylene direct or does it come from the same carbon atom, forming a substituted methylene, CH 3 CH, which then rearranges to ethylene? The decomposition of ether by alumina apparently must lead to 2 CH 3 CH + H 2 as one of the intermediate stages. How does nickel decompose ether? 1801. In at least two instances it should be relatively simple to determine the reacting radicals. If we pass a mixture of ethyl ace- tate and hydrogen over pulverulent nickel, it is probable that some or all of the initial products will be reduced before they have time to react in the normal way. A study of the reaction products will therefore throw light on the probable mechanism of the reaction which occurs in the absence of hydrogen. If we obtained CH 4 and HC0 2 C 2 H 5 , for instance, we should conclude that the original break had been into CH 3 and C0 2 C 2 H 5 . If we found CH 3 C0 2 H and C 2 H 6 , we should conclude that these were reduction products of CH 3 C0 2 and C 2 H 5 . If the reaction products were CH 4 , C 2 H 6 , and C0 2 or some reduction product of this last, we should undoubtedly assume that ethyl acetate splits simultaneously into CH 3 , C0 2 and C 2 H 5 . 180m. If ether is passed over pulverulent nickel, the dissociation will probably be to C 2 H 5 + C 2 H 5 or to C 2 H 5 + C 2 H 4 + H. In the first case the final products will be 2 C 2 H 4 and H 2 just as with alumina. In the second case they are likely to be CH 3 CHO + C 2 H 4 + H 2 , though the ethylene and hydrogen may combine more or less completely to form ethane. 180n. These two illustrations are sufficient to indicate the kind of work that ought to be done and the organic chemists will un- doubtedly be able to develop this suggestion in most unexpected ways. The following cases are worth considering, though it must not be assumed that the reactions run as written for one hundred per cent yield. With nickel we get the following decompositions of the esters: CH 3 C0 2 CH 2 CH 3 CH 3 CH 2 CH 3 + C0 2 CH 3 C0 2 CH 3 CH 3 CH 3 + C0 2 HC0 2 CH 3 = CH 4 (?) + C0 2 With thoria the decomposition is quite different: 2 CH 3 C0 2 CH 2 CH 3 CH 3 COCH 3 + C0 2 + (C 2 H 5 ) 2 CH 3 COCH 3 + C0 2 + C 2 H 5 OH + C 2 H 4 2 CH 3 C0 2 CH 3 - CH 3 COCH 3 + C0 2 + (CH 3 ) 2 2 HC0 2 CH 3 = ECHO + C0 2 + (CH 3 ) 2 180o CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 66 With titania there is a third set of products: CH 3 C0 2 CH 2 CH 3 = CH 3 C0 2 H + C 2 H 4 2 CH 3 C0 2 CH 3 = 2CH 3 C0 2 H + C 2 H 4 HCO 2 CH 3 = HCO 2 H + CH 2 = CO + CH 3 OH. The decompositions are regular and characteristic with each catalytic agent and the molecules must break or slip at different points in the different cases. It would help a great deal towards formulating a theory of the behavior of these oxides if we knew exactly what hap- pened in each case. Of course, a study of this sort should include the chlorinated esters. There is some evidence to show that the de- composition may shift from one type to another with increasing sub- stitution of hydrogen by chlorine. 180o. While we have no satisfactorily developed theories of con- tact catalysis at present, our theoretical knowledge in regard to the poisoning of catalytic agents is in good shape, though it is not sup- ported as yet by adequate experimental evidence. Since the reaction takes place in or at the surface, it follows that any substance, which cuts down the rate at which the reacting substances reach the cat- alytic surface 67 or which prevents them from reaching it, will decrease the reaction velocity and may destroy the catalytic action entirely. Berliner 68 has shown that traces of fatty vapors from the air or from the grease on the stop- cocks will decrease the adsorption of hydrogen by palladium from nearly nine hundred volumes practically to noth- ing. Faraday 69 has shown that traces of grease destroy the catalytic action of platinum on oxyhydrogen gas. De Hemptinne 70 has appar- ently shown that carbon monoxide cuts down the adsorption of hydro- gen by palladium, though his method of presenting his results is very obscure. Harbeck and Lunge 71 found that carbon monoxide inhibits practically completely the catalytic action of platinum on a mixture of ethylene and hydrogen. Schonbein 72 pointed out that the hydrides of sulphur, tellurium, selenium, phosphorus, arsenic, and antimony act very energetically in cutting down the catalytic action of platinum on mixtures of air with hydrogen or ether. He considered that the hydride must decompose, giving rise to a solid film. This is not necessary in order to account for the phenomenon; but he seems to have been right in at least one case, for Maxted 73 has found that 67 TAYLOR, Trans. Am. Electrochem. Soc., 36 (1919). * Wied. Ann., 35, 903 (1888). 69 Experimental Researches on Electricity, i, 185 (1839). 70 Zeit. phys. Chem., 27, 249 (1898). 71 Zeit. anorg. Chem., 16, 50 (1898). 72 Jour, prakt. Chem., 29, 238 (1843). 73 Jour. Chem. Soc., 115, 1050 (1919). 67 THE MECHANISM OF CATALYSIS 180r hydrogen sulphide is decomposed by platinum black with evolution of hydrogen, and that the platinum then does not adsorb hydrogen. Paal and Hartmann 74 state that the catalytic action of palladium hydrosol and its adsorption of hydrogen are destroyed by metallic mercury or by the oxide of mercury. 180p. Langmuir 75 believes that oxygen prevents dissociation of hydrogen by a heated tungsten filament because it cuts down the adsorption of the hydrogen. 180q. Harned 76 has shown that the rate of adsorption 77 of chlor- picrin by a charcoal which has been cleaned by washing with chlorpicrin is much greater at first than by a charcoal which has not been so cleaned, although the final equilibrium is apparently about the same in the two cases. This is analogous to the evaporation of water when covered by an oil film. The oil cuts down the rate of evaporation very much but has practically no effect on the partial pressure of water at equilibrium. Taylor points out that normally the time of contact between a gas and the solid catalytic agent is extremely small and consequently anything which decreases the rate of adsorption will cut down the reaction velocity very much. 180r. It is easy to see that the piling up of the reaction products will cut down the reaction velocity, if they prevent the reacting sub- stances from coming in contact with the catalytic agent. Bunsen apparently recognized this as early as 1857 for he is quoted 78 as saying that it is only when the products of decomposition are removed and new matter is brought into contact that the reaction continues. This has been observed experimentally in the contact sulphuric acid process. 79 The explanation that the decrease in the reaction velocity is due to a decreased adsorption of the reacting substances was first given by Fink, 80 who is the real pioneer in this line. Although the reaction between carbon monoxide and oxygen is practically irre- versible at ordinary temperature, Henry 81 recognized that the pres- ence of the reaction product might slow up the rate of reaction and he proved his point by increasing the reaction velocity when he re- moved the carbon dioxide with caustic potash. Water vapor checks 74 Berichte, 51, 711 (1918). 76 Jour. Am. Chem. Soc., 38, 2272 (1916). 76 Jour. Am. Chem. Soc., 42, 372 (1920). 77 TAYLOR, Trans. Am. Electrochem. Soc., 36 (1919). 78 DEACON, Jour. Chem. Soc., 25, 736 (1872). 79 BODLANDER and KOPPEN, Zeit. Elektrochemie, 9, 566 (1903); BERL, Zeit. anorg. Chem., 44, 267 (1905). 80 BODENSTEIN and FINK, Zeit. phys. Chem., 60, 61 (1907). 81 Phil Mag. (3), 9, 324 (1836). 180s CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 68 the catalytic dehydration of ether 82 and of alcohol 83 and hydrogen cuts down the catalytic dehydrogenation of alcohol. 180s. When catalytic poisons are present or are formed during the reaction, the apparent equilibrium may vary with the amount of the catalytic agent. 84 With only a small amount present, the catalytic agent will be poisoned before the reaction has run very far. In the hydrolysis of ethyl butyrate by enzymes, the reaction apparently runs to different end-points depending on the relative amounts of enzyme. 85 While our theoretical knowledge in regard to the poisoning of catalytic agents is fairly adequate, we know literally nothing except empirically in regard to the action of the so-called promoters. It has recently been found that the addition of small amounts of a substance which does not in itself have any very marked catalytic action may make the catalyst considerably more active. Such substances were called promoters in the patents of the Badische Anilin and Soda Fabrik, and the term is now in common use. Rideal and Taylor say: " Thus far no theory put forward to account for the acceleration of reaction by minute quantities of promoters added to the main catalyst material is completely satisfactory. A possible mechanism, which, however, has received no experimental test, may be advanced by con- sidering the case of ammonia synthesis from mixtures of nitrogen and hydrogen. Reduced iron is an available contact substance, the ac- tivity of which may be regarded as due to the simultaneous formation of the compounds, hydride and nitride, with subsequent rearrangement to give ammonia and unchanged iron. Or, maybe, the activity of the iron is due to simultaneous adsorption of the two gases. The par- ticular mechanism of the catalysis is unimportant for the present considerations. Now such bodies as molybdenum, tungsten, and uranium have been proposed, among others, as promoters of the ac- tivity of iron. It is conceivable that these act by adjusting the ratio in which the elementary gases are adsorbed by or temporarily com- bined with the catalytic material to give a ratio of reactive nitrogen and hydrogen more nearly that required for the synthesis, namely, one of nitrogen to three of hydrogen. From the nature of the ma- terials suggested as promoters, it would seem that they are in the main nitride-forming materials, which on the above assumption of mechanism would lead to the conclusion that the original iron tended 82 IPATIEF, Berichte, 37, 2996 (1904). 88 LEWIS, Jour. Chem. Soc., 115, 182 (1919). 8 * BANCROFT, Jour. Phys. Chem., 22, 22 (1918). 85 KASTLE and LOEVENHART, Am. Chem. Jour., 24, 491 (1900). 69 THE MECHANISM OF CATALYSIS 180u to adsorb or form an intermediate compound with a greater propor- tion of hydrogen to nitrogen than required by the stoichiometric ratio. The catalytic activity of reduced iron as a hydrogenation agent would tend to confirm this viewpoint. 180t. " In reference to this suggested mechanism it must be emphasized, however, that in such examples of ' promotion,' as re- quire only minute quantities of added promoter the activity is more difficult to understand. With the case of ammonia synthesis, the promoters are added in marked concentrations. It is difficult to realize, however, that 0.5 per cent of ceria or a concentration of one molecule of ceria among 200 molecules of iron oxide, in the example cited above in reference to catalytic hydrogen production, can so far ' redress the balance ' of adsorption or combination as to produce the marked increase in activity of which it is capable. It is obvious that in this phase of the problem there lies an exceedingly fascinating field for scientific investigation, with the added advantages that, being practically virgin territory, the harvest to be gained therefrom should be rich and abundant." 180u. Instead of the promoter changing the ratio of adsorption, it might be that the catalytic agent activates only one of the reacting agents or activates one chiefly, and that the promoter activates the other. Thus it might be, in the ammonia synthesis, that iron acti- vates the hydrogen chiefly so that we have hydrogenation of the nitrogen. The molybdenum might tend to activate the nitrogen giving rise to nitridation of hydrogen, or it might increase the activa- tion of the nitrogen. Such a state of things is not impossible theo- retically. When a dye reacts with oxygen under the influence of light, the light may make the oxygen active, in which case the acti- vated oxygen oxidizes the dye, or the light may make the dye active in which case the activated dye reduces the oxygen. It is easy to decide this question by seeing whether the effective light corresponds to an adsorption band for the dye or for the oxygen. CHAPTER IV ISOMERIZATIONS, POLYMERIZATIONS, AND CONDENSATIONS BY ADDITION i. ISOMERIZATIONS 181. ISOMERIZATIONS, that is to say, changes of structure effected within a molecule without modifying its composition, are often accomplished by the action of heat alone. As catalysts have frequently the effect of lowering the temperature of reactions, it can be foreseen that their use will permit, in many cases, of realizing an isomerization at a lower temperature, or causing it to go more rapidly. Experiment has often verified this prediction under very varied conditions. Strong mineral acids bring about a large number of isomerizations ; the concentration of the acid has usually a great influence on the direction of the transformation. The mechanism of the change can usually be interpreted by assuming the addition of water to the original compound under the influence of the acid ions followed by a dehydration, or the reverse. 182. Change of Geometric Isomers. The transformation of fumaric acid into maleic is brought about by a large number of cat- alysts, for example hydrobromic or hydriodic adds in hot concen- trated solution, 1 hot hydrochloric acid, 2 or hot dilute nitric acid. 3 Bromine acts, in the cold, on maleic acid to give dibromsuccinic acid but, at the same time, a part of the maleic acid is changed to fumaric. 4 Likewise, traces of iodine are sufficient to transform maleic esters into fumaric. 6 If to a solution of maleic acid an equivalent amount of sodium thiosulphate be added and then sulphuric acid, sulphur dioxide is evolved without appreciable separation of sulphur and 25% of fumaric acid crystallizes out. 6 1 KEKULE, Annalen, Supp. Band, i, 133 (1861). 2 KEKULE^ and STRECKER, Annalen, 223, 186 (1884). 3 KEKUL&, Annalen, Supp. Band, 2, 93 (1862). 4 PETRI, Annalen, 195, 49 (1879). 5 SKRAUP, Monatsh., 12, 107 (1891). 6 TANATAR, /. Russian Phys. Ghent. Soc., 43, 1742 (1912), C. A., 6, 1279. 70 71 CONDENSATIONS BY ADDITIONS 186 When hydrogen sulphide is passed into solutions of lead, copper, or cadmium maleates, the maleic acid set free is changed to fumaric. 7 183. Citraconic acid warmed with dilute nitric acid, 8 or with con- centrated hydrobromic acid* or with concentrated hydriodic acid, is changed into mesaconic acid. Warmed above 100 with a concentrated solution of caustic soda, it gives mesaconic acid with a little itaconic.^ Itaconic acid dissolved in a mixture of ether and chloroform to which a few drops of a chloroform solution of bromine have been added, and exposed to sunlight, is transformed into mesaconic acid. 12 Itaconic acid boiled with soda lye changes, almost entirely, into mesaconic. 13 184. Small amounts of nitrous acid transform a number of cis ethylenic acids into their trans isomers, ole'ic into elaidic, 14 hyprogaeic into gaidic, erucic, C 8 H 17 CH : CHICHJ^CC^H, into brassidic. 1 * 185. a-Benzaldoxime in contact with hydrogen chloride or with crystallized pyrosulphuric acid is changed into p-benzaldoxime. 17 The reverse change is brought about by contact with dilute sulphuric acid. 186. Changes of Optical Isomers. Solutions of caustic soda can determine numerous stereo-isomeric changes in the sugar group and the same is true of solutions of lime and baryta and even of pure water mixed with lead and zinc hydroxides. 18 Glucose, mannose and fructose, heated two hours under these conditions yield the same mix- ture of these three hexoses. In the cold and with concentrated alka- lies, the same isomerization takes place in five days. In the same way, galactose gives a mixture of sorbose, tagatose, talose and gal- tose. 18 Similarly baryta water transforms gulose or idose into sor- 7 SKRAUP, loc. cit. 8 GOTTLIEB, Annalen, 77, 268 (1857). 9 FITTIG, Ibid., 188, 77 and 80 (1877). 10 KEKULE, Ibid., SupL, 2, 94 (1862). 11 DELISLE, Ibid., 269, 82 (1892). FITTIG and LANGWORTHY, Ibid., 304, 152 (1899). 12 FITTIG and LANGWORTHY, Ibid., 304, 152 (1899). 13 FITTIG and KOHL, Ibid., 305, 41 (1899). 14 BOUDET, Ann. Chim. Phys. (2), 50, 391 (1832). LAURENT, Ibid. (2), 65, 149 (1837). 15 CALDWELL and GOSSMANN, Annalen, 99, 307 (1856). !6 HAUSSKNECHT, Ibid., 143, 54 (1867). 17 BECKMANN, Berichte, 20, 2766 (1887). 18 LOBRY DE BRUYN and VAN EKENSTEIN, Rec. Trav. Chim. Pays-Bos, 14, 203 (1895) and 15, 92 (1896). 19 VAN EKENSTEIN and BLANKSMA, Ibid., 27, 1 (1908). 187 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 72 187. The acids derived from the hexoses are isomerized when they are heated to 135-150 with an organic base that does not yield amides with the acids; quinoline or pyridine are usually employed. The new acid differs from the old only in the arrangement of the groups around the last asymmetric carbon atom. Furthermore, the isomerizations take place in both directions, reaching the same limit. Thus gluconic acid furnishes mannonic with quinoline and recipro- cally. 20 Likewise with pyridine we pass from arabonic acid (with five carbon atoms) to ribonic, 21 from lyxonic to xylonic 22 and also from the dibasic acid, talomucic, to mucic 2 * 188. The sugars, glucose, laevulose, galactose, arabinose, and xylose, which are not susceptible of a molecular decomposition by the addition of water, present a special phenomenon known as multirota- tion; the rotatory power observed immediately after solution in water is much greater than that after some tune. 24 Thus the rotation of glucose starts at 105 and goes down to half of this, 52.5 . 25 The explanation is that there are isomeric molecular modifications of these various sugars, analogous to the three varieties that Tanret has been able to isolate for glucose. 26 Of the three varieties, the one that is stable in dilute solution, called /?, has exactly the rotatory power finally found, 52.5, another form a has the value 106. The passage to the stable isomer takes place slowly in the cold, rapidly when hot, but is greatly accelerated by the presence of mineral acids. 189. dMenthone on long contact with sulphuric acid containing 10% of its volume of water passes to Lmenthone 2 * 190. Migrations of Double and Triple Bonds. Isopropyl- ethylene, (CH 3 ) 2 CH . CH : CH 2 , when heated under pressure at 480- 500 in the presence of anhydrous alumina, is transformed into trimethyl-ethylene, (CH 3 ) 2 C : CH . CH 3 . 29 191. Eugenol, when boiled with amyl alcoholic potash, changes to isoeugenol, the direct oxidation of which furnishes vanilline: 30 2 E. FISCHER, Berichte, 23, 801 (1890). 21 FISCHER and PILOTY, Berichte, 24, 4216 (1891). 22 FISCHER and BROMBERG, Berichte, 29, 584 (1896). 28 FISCHER and MORELL, Berichte, 27, 387 (1894). 2 * DUBRUNFAUT, Ann. Chim. Phys. (3), 18, 105 (1846). 28 PARCUS and TOLLENS, Annalen, 257, 160 (1890). 2 TANRET, Bull. Soc. Chim. (3), 15, 195 and 349 (1896). 27 ERDMANN, Jahresb., 1855, 672. 2 * BECKMANN, Annalen, 250, 334 (1889). 29 IPATIEF, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 38, 63 and 92 (1906), C., 1906, (2), 86 and 87. 80 TIEMANN, Berichte, 24, 2871 (1891). 73 CONDENSATIONS BY ADDITIONS 193 , CH : CH 2 ,CH : CH - CH, C 6 H 3 - OCH, -> C 6 H 3 - OCHs \)H \) H 192. The acetylene triple bond undergoes analogous transpositions under the influence of sodium or of alkalies. Ethyl-acetylene, CH 3 . CH 2 . C i CH, heated with potash to 170, changes to dimethyl-acetylene, CH 3 . C i C . CH 3 . 31 Inversely, disubstituted acetylene hydrocarbons are changed into true acetylenes when they are heated with sodium, a part of the new hydrocarbon combining with the metal, e. g. methyl-ethyl-acetylene, CH 3 . C C . CH 2 . CH 3 , gives propyl- acetylene, CH 3 . CH 2 . CH 2 . C i CH. 32 The same catalysts cause the transformation of allenic hydro- carbons into acetylene hydrocarbons and inversely. Thus diethyl- allene, CH 3 . CH 2 . CH : C : CH . CH 2 . CH 3 , which under the influ- ence of heat alone isomerizes into methyl-ethyl-butadiene, is changed by contact with metallic sodium into diethyl-allylene, CH 3 . CH 2 ,- CH 2 .C ! C.CH 2 .CH 3 . 33 Inversely isopropyl-acetylene, (CH 3 ) 2 CH .C i CH, heated above 150 with alcoholic potash, changes to dimethyl-allene, (CH 3 ) 2 C :- C : CH 2 . 34 193. Decyclizations. Cyclo-propane is not changed to propylene by heat alone below 600, but in the presence of platinum sponge, this change takes place in the cold and very rapidly at 100. 35 The vapors of ethyl-cyclo-propane passed at 300-310 over as- bestos impregnated with anhydrous alumina, are isomerized into methyl-ethyl-ethylene : v ;CH.CH 2 .CH 3 - CH 3 . CH : CH . CH 2 . CH 3 . 36 / CH 2 v Methylene-cyclo -propane, \ C : CH 2 , passed over alumina at CH/ 350, gives divinyl, CH 2 : CH . CH : CH 2 . 37 81 FAWORSKII, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 19, 414 and 553 (1887) ; ao, 518 (1888), C., 1887, 153. 32 FAWORSKY, /. prakt. Chem., (2), 37, 387 (1888). B^HAL, Butt. Soc. Chim., 50, 629 (1888). 88 MERESHKOVSKI, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 45, 1969 (1914), C. A., 8, 1420. 84 FAWORSKY, /. prakt. Chem. (2), 37, 392 (1888). 88 TANATAR, Zeit. phys. Chem., 41, 735 (1902). 86 ROZANOV, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 48, 168 (1916), C. A., u, 454. 87 MARESHKOVSKI, Ibid., 45, 2072 (1914), C. A.. 9, 799. 194 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 74 194. Cyclizations and Transformations of Ring Compounds. Hydrobenzamide when boiled with potash changes to amarine: 38 C 6 H B . CH : N\ C 6 H 5 . C . )CH.C 6 H 5 -> || )CH.C 6 H 5 . C 6 H 6 .CH:N/ C 6 H 5 .C.NH/ 195. The acetylenic pinacones when kept on the water bath with a 4% water solution of mercuric sulphate, are rapidly and completely isomerized into ketohydrofurfuranes. Doubtless there is at first addition of water to the triple bond and then dehydration of the glycol thus obtained: 39 CO - CH 2 CH 3 \ yCH 3 | | )C(OH)-CiC.C(OH)( -> (CH 3 ) 2 :C C:(CH 3 ) 2 CH 3 / \CH 3 \ / 196. In contact with maleic acid or with other acids, dimethyl- ketazine isomerizes into trimethyl-pyrazoline: 40 CH 3 \ /CH 8 CH 3 .CH-CH 2 \ /CH 3 )C:N.N:C( -> || )C( CH 3 / \CH 2 N NH/ \CH 3 197. Cy do -heptane, heated to 210 with reduced nickel in an atmosphere of hydrogen, is transformed into methyl-cyclo-hexane, and likewise cyclo-octane gives dimethyl-cyclo-hexane 41 198. Sulphuric acid provokes many isomerizations among the terpenes. Thus pinene, warmed with sulphuric acid diluted with its own volume of water, is changed to a mixture of terpinolene, terpinene, and dipentene. 42 LPinene dissolved in glacial acetic acid and warmed to 60-70, isomerizes into l.limonene with evolution of heat, when 5% of phos- phoric acid is added. 43 Likewise phellandrene, on contact with sul- phuric acid, yields terpinene 44 Thujone is isomerized to isothujone when it is warmed for nine hours with sulphuric acid diluted with two volumes of water. 45 In the presence of sulphuric acid, pseudo-ionone passes into the cyclic QJ- and p-ionones. Thus a-ionone (artificial extract of 38 FOWNES, Anndlen, 54, 364 (1845). 39 DUPONT, Compt. rend., 152, 1486 (1911) and 153, 275 (1911). 40 CURTIUS and FOERSTERLING, /. prakt. Chem. (2), 51, 394 (1895). 41 WILLSTATTER and KAMETAKA, Berichte, 41, 1480 (1908). 42 ARMSTRONG and TILDEN, Berichte, 12, 1754 (1879). 43 PRINS, Chem. WeekbL, 13, 1264 (1916), C. A., n, 586. 44 WALLACH, Anncden, 239, 35 (1887). 45 WALLACE, Annalen, 286, 101 (1877). 75 CONDENSATIONS BY ADDITIONS 201 violets) is prepared by heating for 16 hours, 20 parts pseudo-ionone dissolved in 100 parts of water and 100 parts of glycerine with 2.5 parts sulphuric acid. Concentrated sulphuric acid gives mainly ^3-ionone. Phosphoric acid also may be employed. 48 199. Migration of Atoms. Migrations of halogen atoms are frequently effected by anhydrous aluminum chloride or bromide. Thus propyl bromide, CH 3 . CH 2 . CH 2 Br, boiled 5 minutes with 10% of aluminum bromide is completely transformed into isopropyl bro- mide, CH 3 . CHBr . CH 3 ; while 4% of the salt will effect the change in 24 hours in the cold. 47 The mechanism is apparently a separation into propylene and hydrobromic acid and a recombination of these to form isopropyl bromide. Propyl chloride is affected in the same way. 48 In the presence of anhydrous aluminum chloride at 110, acetylene tetrachloride, CHC1 2 . CHC1 2 , changes partly into the unsymmetrical tetrachlorethane, CC1 3 . CH 2 C1. 49 By warming with 15 to 20% of aluminum chloride, a-bromnaph- thalene, dissolved in 3 or 4 parts of carbon disulphide, is transformed into ^-bromnaphthalene. 50 200. Mercuric chloride and zinc bromide greatly accelerate the isomerization of isobutyl bromide, (CH 3 ) 2 CH . CH 2 Br, into tertiary- butyl bromide, (CH 3 ) 3 CBr. 51 R\ Ethylene oxides of the type, )C CH 2 , kept in contact with R'/\0/ R\ zinc chloride, are isomerized into aldehydes, /CH . CHO. Thus R'/ ethylene oxide gives acetaldehyde. 62 The same transformation is accomplished by anhydrous alumina acting on the vapor of ethylene oxide at 200. 53 201. Concentrated or dilute mineral acids frequently cause the migration of atoms in a straight chain of cyclic hydrocarbon or in a ring containing nitrogen. 46 TIEMANN and KRUGER, Berichte, 26, 2693 (1893) and 31, 808 (1898). 47 KEKULE and SCHROTTER, Berichte, 12, 2279 (1879). GUSTAVSON, J. Rus- sian Phys. Chem. Soc., 15, 61 (1883). 48 MOUNEYRAT, Bull. Soc. Chim. (3), 21, 616 (1899). 4 *> MOUNEYRAT, Ibid. (3), 19, 499 (1898). e Roux, Ann. Chim. Phys. (6), 12, 344 (1887). 61 MICHAEL, SCHARF, and VOIGT, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 38, 653 (1916). 52 KASCHIRSKI, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 13, 76 (1881), C., z88x, 278. KRASSUSKI, Ibid., 34, 543 (1902), C., 1902, (2), 1095. 53 IPATIEP and LEONTOWITCH, Beritche, 36, 2016 (1903). 202 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 76 The 1,2 dihydrotetrazines isomerize into the 1,4, when heated with alcoholic hydrochloric acid, 64 thus: /NH /C.C 6 H 6 -> C 6 H 8 .C/ \NH N^CH \N - 202. Acetylchloraminobenzene, CH 3 . CO . NCI . C 6 H 5 , is trans- formed into p.chloracetanilide, CH 3 . CO . NH . C 6 H 4 C1, under the in- fluence of hydrochloric acid. 55 The same acid changes hydrazo- benzene into benzidene. 56 C 6 H 5 NH C 6 H 4 NH 2 C 6 H 5 NH C 6 H 4 NH 2 203. Acids with a double bond in 7 position, and hydroxyl in the a, are changed by boiling with dilute hydrochloric acid into7-keto acids. Thus phenyl-ot-hydroxycrotonic acid, C 6 H 5 . CH : CH .- CH(OH).COOH, is changed into benzoyl-propionic acid, C 6 H 5 .- CO . CH 2 . CH 2 . COOH. The mechanism of this reaction has been variously explained. 57 204. The aldoximes, R . CH : NOH, of the aliphatic series are changed to amides, R . CO . NH 2 , by warming with sulphuric acid. To explain this change it is sufficient to assume that there is first a dehydration of the oxime to the nitrile which is hydrated by the min- eral acid in the usual way to the amide. 205. In contact with sulphuric acid, oximes of cyclic ketones are transformed into internal amides, or iso-oximes. Thus the oxime of cyclohexanone yields the lactam of c -aminocaproic acid: /CH 2 . CH 2 \ /CH 2 . CH 2 . NH CH 2 ( )C:NOH -> CH 2 ( | \CH 2 . CH 2 / \CH 2 . CH 2 . CO The concentrated acid, to which a little water or acetic acid has been added, is suitable for this reaction. 58 206. Alkaline solutions also can cause the migration of atoms. The potassium salt of diazobenzene heated to 130 with concentrated caustic potash is changed to the potassium salt of phenylnitrosamine. 69 54 STOLID, J. prakt. Chem. (2), 73, 299 (1906). 85 AGREE and JOHNSON, Am. Chem. Jour., 37, 410 (1907). 56 ZININ, Annalen, 137, 376 (1865). 87 FITTIG, Annalen, 299, 20 (1898). THIBLB and SULZBERGER, Ibid., 319, 199 (1901). ERLENMEYER, JR., Ibid., 333, 205 (1904), BOUGAULT, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 15, 513 and Compt. rend., 157, 403 (1913). 88 WALLACH, Annalen, 312, 171 (1900). 89 SCHRAUBE and SCHMIDT, Berichte, 27, 522 (18Q4), 77 CONDENSATIONS BY ADDITIONS 210 /NO C 6 H 5 .N:N.OK -> C 6 H 5 .N^ . 207. Thiourea, CS(NH 2 ) 2 , on contact with a solution of ethyl nitrite, isomerizes into ammonium isosulphocyanate, CSN . NH 4 . 60 208. In certain cases, finely divided metals, copper, nickel, etc., can bring about a migration of atoms, thus causing a change of func- tion. Thus unsaiurated alcohols are transformed into aldehydes or ketones in a way that is easy to explain. Allyl alcohol, CH 2 : CH . CH 2 OH, passed in the vapor form over reduced copper at 180-300, is changed almost entirely into propionic aldehyde, CH 3 . CH 2 CHO, with only slight traces of acroleme, CH 2 : CH . CHO. The hydrogen produced by the decomposition of the alcohol by the copper is immediately added to the double bond of the acroleine. 61 Likewise a-unsaturated secondary alcohols, R . CH : CH .- CH(OH) .R', mixed with hydrogen over reduced nickel at 195-200, are isomerized into the ketones, R . CH 2 . CH 2 . CO . R'. 62 2. POLYMERIZATIONS 209. Frequently several molecules of the same kind, having one or more double bonds, condense to a single molecule, which is called a polymer of the original molecule. The presence of a catalyst fre- quently causes such a change or accelerates its velocity. We will examine from this point of view: Hydrocarbons. Aldehydes. Nitriles and amides. Hydrocarbons 210. Ethylene Hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons of the ethylene series, C n H 2n , frequently change into polymers of double, triple, or even quadruple, the original molecule yet retaining the same character as the original. Sulphuric acid, either concentrated or slightly diluted, frequently causes this polymerization. In fact, its action is complex as, besides polymerization, it can cause the addition of water to form secondary or tertiary alcohols and also the formation of acid or neutral esters 60 GLAUS, Annalen, 179, 129 (1875). 61 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 4, 463 (1905). 62 DOURIS, Compt. rend., 157, 55 (1913). 211 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 78 of sulphuric acid. With hydrocarbons of moderate molecular weight, there is principally the formation of alcohols and esters. 63 Thus sulphuric acid diluted with its own volume of water transforms tri- methyl-ethylene, (CH 3 ) 2 C : CH . CH 3 , at 0, chiefly into dimethyl- ethyl-carbinol, (CH 3 ) 2 C (OH) . CH 2 . CH 3 . 64 With ethylene hydrocarbons of high molecular weight, there is chiefly production of polymers, particularly dimers. Thus duodecene is changed by sulphuric acid quantitatively into viscous tetracosene which is stable in presence of sulphuric acid. 65 The concentration of the acid determines the nature of the re- action. Thus a-hexene and 7-heptene, with 85% acid yield alkyl sulphuric acids, while they polymerize in contact with the normal acid, H 2 S0 4 . The acid, diluted with 20% of its volume of water, changes isobutene, in the cold, to tributene, boiling at 177. 66 Trimethyl-ethylene in contact with sulphuric acid diluted with half its volume of water, furnishes, at 0, much diamylene, boiling at 154. 67 211. Zinc chloride can polymerize unsaturated hydrocarbons, e. g. trimethyl-ethylene into diamylene, triamylene, and tetra-amylene. 68 Boron trifluoride transforms amylene into diamylene. 69 The use of catalysts under high pressures greatly favors the poly- merization of ethylene into unsaturated hydrocarbons at high tem- peratures. The products obtained with anhydrous alumina, under 70 atmospheres above 250, are the same as those produced by heat alone in the absence of the catalyst. 70 Ethylene with anhydrous zinc chloride at 275 and 70 atmospheres, gives a gas containing 36% ethylene, 3% hydrogen, and 61% satu- rated hydrocarbons and a complex liquid of which 85% is pentane and hexane without any methyl-cyclobutane. The remainder consists of numerous hydrocarbons including unsaturated hydrocarbons boil- ing above 145 and naphthenes which are particularly abundant around 250. Anhydrous aluminum chloride produces little effect with ethylene at 70 atmospheres and 240, but at 280, a gas is obtained containing 63 BROOKS and HUMPHREY, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 40, 822 (1918). 64 WISCHNEGRADSKY, Annolen, 190, 336 (1877). 65 BROOKS and HUMPHREY, Loc. cit. 66 BUTLEROW, Berichte, 6, 561 (1873). 67 SCHNEIDER, Annalen, 157, 207 (1871). 68 BAUER, Jahresh., 1861, 660. 69 LANDOLPH, Berichte, 12, 1578 (1879). 70 IPAHEF, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 43, 1420 (1911), C. A., 6, 736. 79 CONDENSATIONS BY ADDITIONS 214 only saturated hydrocarbons, and no liquid, but, instead, a rather abundant carbonaceous residue. 71 212. Doubly Unsaturated Hydrocarbons. Acetylene is ad- sorbed more energetically than hydrogen by colloidal palladium and is to a great extent polymerized. 72 Allylene is absorbed by concentrated sulphuric acid and is poly- merized into mesitylene: 73 3 CH 3 .C :CH = C 6 H 3 (CH 3 ) 3 (1.3.5). This can be explained by assuming that the acid first causes the hydration of the allylene to acetone (308) and then dehydrates 3 molecules of this according to a well-known reaction. Similarly crotonylene, or butine(2), shaken with slightly diluted sulphuric acid (1 part water to 3 parts acid), gives hexamethyl-ben- zene. 7 * Valerylene, C 5 H 8 , shaken with sulphuric acid changes into poly- mers, trivalerylene and polyvalerylenes. 75 213. Divinyl, or butadiene, CH 2 : CH . CH : CH 2 , as well as its higher homologs, piperylene, CH 3 . CH : CH . CH : CH 2 , isoprene, CH 2 : C(CH 3 ) . CH : CH 2 , and dipropylene, CH 2 : C(CH 3 ) .- C(CH 3 ) : CH 2 , polymerize spontaneously under the influence of heat alone giving rise to various elastic solid hydrocarbons resembling natural rubber and constituting the synthetic rubbers. This poly- merization is greatly accelerated by the presence of various catalysts. Thus with 5% metallic sodium or potassium, the reaction which goes on in the cold or with slight warming, is complete and is not hindered by the presence of non-polymerizable hydrocarbons. 78 214. The polymerization of isoprene by barium peroxide or ben- zoyl peroxide or potassium sulphide gives rise to the intermediate formation of /3-myrcene, CH 2 : CH . C : CH . CH 2 . CH 2 . C : CH 2 , CH 3 CH 3 a hydrocarbon boiling at 63 at 20 mm., which, in turn, warmed with sodium or with barium peroxide changes quantitatively into normal 71 IPATIEF and RUTALA, Berichte, 46, 1748 (1913). 72 PAAL and HOHENEGGER, Berichte, 43, 2684 (1910). 73 SCHROHE, Berichte, 8, 17 (1875). 74 ALMEDINGEN, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 13, 392 (1881), C., 1881, 629. 75 BOUCHARDAT, Bull Soc. Chim. (2), 33, 24 (1880). REBOUL, Annalen, 143, 373 (1867). 76 MATTHEWS and STRANGE, English Pat., 24,790 (1910). HARRIES, Annalen, 383, 157 (1911). 215 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 80 caoutchouc; the direct polymerization furnishes only an abnormal caoutchouc 77 215. Glacial acetic acid and especially acetanhydride acting at 150 have been recommended for the polymerization into caout- chouc, 78 the presence of 0.2% of sulphur or of 0.002% of sulphuric acid in the hydrocarbon being favorable to the reaction. 79 Trioxymethylene, at a high temperature in an autoclave, has also been proposed as a catalyst in this reaction. 80 216. Cyclic Hydrocarbons. Pinene heated twelve hours with formic acid changes to a hydrocarbon of double the molecular weight, ^20-"-32' Pinene is transformed into colophene, C 20 H 32 , by contact with con- centrated sulphuric acid, boron fluoride, or phosphoric anhydride. 82 Pinene heated to 50 with 20% of antimony chloride is changed into tetra-terebenthine, C 40 H 64 . 88 Aluminum, ferric, and zinc chlo- rides cause the formation of analogous products. 84 217. Indene. Indene polymerizes on contact with sulphuric acid into para-indene, (C 9 H 8 ) X , which melts at 120. 85 Aldehydes 218. The tendency to polymerize is very general among aldehydes and small traces of various materials are sufficient to cause the poly- merization to take place, whether the molecules thus condensed are joined by carbon to carbon or by means of the oxygen atoms. 219. Aldolization. The first method of condensation is called aldolization; one of the aldehyde groups is preserved and the other is converted into a secondary alcohol group. The name comes from aldol, the first example to be studied. Acetaldehyde kept for some time in contact with a small amount of hydrochloric acid or of zinc chloride solution condenses to give aldol, or butanalol (1 . 3) : 86 CH 3 . CHO + CH 3 . CHO = CH 3 .CH(OH) .CH 2 .CHO aldol 77 OSTROMUISLENSKII and KOSHELEV, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 47, 1928 (1915), C. A., 10, 1947. OSTROMUISLENSKII, Ibid., 48, 1071 (1916), C. A., n, 1768. 78 CHEM. FABR. AUF. ACTIEN, French Patent, 433,825 79 BADISCHE, French Patent, 434,587. 80 GROSS, French Patent, 459,987. 81 LAFONT, Ann. Chim. Phys. (6), 15, 179 (1888). 82 SAINTE-CLAIRE-DEVILLE, Ibid. (2), 75, 66 (1839) and (3), 26, 85 (1849). 8 3 PRINS, Chem. Weekbl, 13, 1264 (1916), C. A., n, 586. 8 * RIBAN, Ann. Chim. Phys. (5), 6, 42 (1875). 85 KRAMER and SPILKER, Berichte, 23, 3278 (1890). 6 WURTZ, Compt. rend., 74, 1361 (1872!) and 76, 1165 (1873). 81 CONDENSATIONS BY ADDITIONS 222 The same result is obtained more readily by leaving acetaldehyde for 18 hours in contact with a solution of neutral potassium carbonate or with a fragment of solid caustic potash. 87 Also in the presence of zinc turnings at 100, acetaldehyde gives aldol and likewise crotonic aldehyde by loss of water (795) . 220. Likewise benzaldehyde heated with an alcoholic solution of potassium cyanide (10% of the weight of the aldehyde), is rapidly transformed into benzolne, C 6 H 5 . CH (OH) . CO . C 6 H 5 . 88 The original aldehyde group is in this case changed to a ketone. Anisaldehyde, CH 3 . C 6 H 4 . CHO, with the same reagent, gives aniso'ine, CH 3 . . C 6 H 4 . CH (OH) . CO . C 6 H 4 . . CH 3 . 89 On heating an hour and a half, the same catalyst transforms cuminaldehyde into cuminoine 90 and in half an hour, furfural into furfuro'ine 9 * 221. The aldolization of several molecules of aldehyde can be realized successively or simultaneously. Under the influence of milk of lime, formaldehyde condenses to a hexose, CH 2 (OH) . CH(OH) . CH(OH) . CH(OH) . CO . CH 2 OH, which is racemic laevulose 92 Analogous condensations giving in- active arabinose and laevulose, are realized in contact with granulated tin 93 or with a mixture of magnesia, magnesium sulphate, and granu- lated lead 94 A similar condensation can be obtained starting with trioxymethylene, (HCOH) 8 . 95 222. Second Method. The second method in which aldehydes polymerize suppresses the aldehyde function, producing bodies called paraldehydes and metaldehydes, the vaporization of which tends to reproduce the original aldehyde. Acetaldehyde in contact with small quantities of sulphur dioxide, anhydrous zinc chloride, hydrogen chloride, or carbonyl chloride soon warms up and is converted into par aldehyde, boiling at 124. The same result is obtained by warming it with ethyl iodide or by leaving a solution of cyanogen in acetaldehyde to stand for several days. 96 87 MICHAEL and KOPP, Am. Chem. Jour., 5, 190 (1883). 88 WOHLER and LIEBIG, Annalen, 3, 276 (1832). ZININ, Ibid., 34, 186 (1840). BREUES and ZINCKE, Ibid., 198, 151 (1879). 89 ROSSEL, Ibid., 151, 33 (1869). o BOSLER, Berichte, 14, 324 (1881). 91 E. FISCHER, Annalen, 211, 218 (1882). 92 LOEW, Berichte, 22, 475 (1889). E. FISCHER and PASSMORB, Ibid., 22, 359 (1889). oa LOEW, J, prakt. Chem. (2), 34, 51 (1886). 94 LOEW, Loc. cit. 95 SEYEWETZ and GIBELLO, Compt. rend., 138, 150 (1904). 96 LIEBEN, Annalen, Supl Band, i, 114 (1861). 223 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 82 A few bubbles of hydrogen chloride or sulphur dioxide passed into acetaldehyde cooled below 0, convert it into metaldehyde, a sublim- able solid. 97 By adding one drop of concentrated sulphuric acid to 100 cc. acetaldehyde, paraldehyde is obtained. 223. Likewise by passing a few bubbles of hydrogen chloride into propionic aldehyde cooled below 0, crystals of metapropanal (melt- ing at 180) are obtained along with parapropanal, a liquid boiling at 169. By a current of hydrogen chloride at 20, metapropanal is formed. 98 When a current of dry hydrogen chloride is passed into butanal at 20, heat is evolved and, on stopping the gas, crystals of meta- butanal (melting at 173) separate out along with oily parabutanal. Under the same conditions, cenanthal (hept aldehyde) gives para- heptaldehyde (melting at 20) and metaheptaldehyde (melting at 140)." 224. Isobutyric aldehyde, with a concentrated solution of sodium acetate at 150, is changed into the dialdehyde boiling at 136 . 100 With a little chlorine, bromine, iodine, hydrochloric acid, phosphorus pentachloride or zinc chloride, meta-isobutanal, melting at 59 , 101 is produced. With alcoholic potash it gives in succession, tri-isobutanal (b.!54), tetra-isobutanal (b.!90), penta-isobutanal (b.223), hexa- isobutanal (b.250), and finally oily hepta-isobutanal. 2 Chloral behaves similarly in contact with various substances, forming solid insoluble metachloral with sulphur dioxide. Trimethyl amine produces the same effect rapidly ; 103 fuming sulphuric acid causes the same polymerization, 104 while pyridine gives metachloral in a gelatinous form. 105 225. Third Method. Aromatic aldehydes, e. g. benzaldehyde, when warmed with alkali, undergo a special change, yielding the al- cohol and acid at the same time: 2C 6 H 5 - CHO + KOH = C 6 H 5 CO 2 K + C 6 H 5 CH 2 OH - 97 KEKULE and ZINCKE, Ibid., 162, 125 (1872). 98 ORNDORF, Amer. Chem. J., 12, 353 (1890). 99 FRANKE and WOZELKA, Monatsh., 33, 349 (1912). 100 FOSSEK, Ibid. f 2, 622 (1881). 101 BARBAGLIA, Berichte, 5, 1052 (1872) and 6, 1064 (1873). DEMTSCHENKO, Ibid., 6, 1176 (1873). 102 PERKIN, J. Chem. Soc., 43, 91 (1883). 103 MEYER and DULK, Annalen, 171, 76 (1874). 104 BOESEKEN, Rec. Trav. Chim. Pays-Bos, 29, 104 (1910). 105 BOBSEKEN and SCHIMMEL, Ibid., 32, 112 (1913). 83 CONDENSATIONS BY ADDITIONS 228 Formaldehyde gives the same reaction to some extent with dilute caustic soda. 106 On the contrary, acetaldehyde, with caustic soda or potash, polymerizes into a complex resin. 226. Isobutyric aldehyde with baryta water reacts somewhat like aromatic aldehydes, yielding isobutyl isobutyrate: (CH 3 ) 2 CH CHO + CHO CH(CH 3 ) 2 = (CH 3 ) 2 CH - CO OCH 2 - CH(CH 3 ) 2 When the solution is warmed, the ester is saponified into isobutyl al- cohol and isobutyric acid. 107 227. This reaction takes place with all aliphatic aldehydes in which the carbon atom next to the aldehyde group carries no hydrogen. It is sometimes caused by the presence of ethyl magnesium iodide. With 2,2-dimethyl-propanolal the hydroxypivalic ester of 2,2-cft- methyl-propandiol is obtained: 108 CH 3 / \CHO HOH 2 C/ \CH 3 " CH 3 \ /CH 2 OH /CH 2 OH c c CH 3 / \CH 2 .0-CO/ \CH,), 228. The same reaction can be brought about with the lower aliphatic aldehydes by the use of aluminum ethylate, A1(OC 2 H 5 ) 3 (299). Thus formaldehyde is condensed into methyl formate, ace- taldehyde into ethyl acetate, propionic aldehyde into propyl propio- nate, even chloral into trichlorethyl trichloracetate. 109 In the case of acetaldehyde this reaction goes quantitatively in 24 hours if 4% of ethyl aluminate be used and the mixture kept below 15. The ethylate can be used in solution in ethyl acetate, xylene, 110 or solvent naphtha. 111 The reaction is carried out in this way: To 135 parts of acetalde- hyde, 6 parts of aluminum ethylate containing 10% aluminum chlo- ride are added little by little and the mixture let stand for ten hours. The yield is 123 parts ethyl acetate. 112 *> H. & A. EULER, Berichte, 38, 2556 (1905). 107 FRANKE, Monatsh. Chem., 21, 1122 (1900). 10 FRANKE and KOHN, Ibid., 25, 865 (1904). 109 TISCHENKO, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 33, 260 (1901). 110 KONSORTIUM F. EbEKTROCH. IND., English pat., 26325 and 26,826 of 1913. J. S. C. I., 33, 666 (1914). German pat., 277,188 (1913); IMRAY, English pat., 1,288 of 1915, J. S. C. I., 35, 141 (1916). 111 German pat., 308,043 (1918), Chem. Centr., 1918 (2), 613. 112 KONSORTIUM F. ELEKTROCH. IND., French patent, 465,965. J. Soc. Chem. Ind., 33, 666 (1914). CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC^ CHEMISTRY 84 Ketones 229. The ketones rarely polymerize but usually condense with the loss of water. However, aldolization of acetone takes place in the cold with a concentrated solution of caustic soda. 113 Thus: /CH 3 /CH^ CH 3 CO CH 3 + C0( - CH 3 CO CH 2 C(OH)( \CH 8 \CH 3 When the product is heated with the same alkali, the reaction is reversed. Nitriles and Amides 230. Hydrocyanic acid, or formic nitrile, HCN, kept with caustic potash or an alkaline carbonate, desposits crystals of the empirical formula (CNH) S which are soluble in ether and appear to be the nitrile of amino-malonic acid, CN . CH(NH 2 ) . CN, along with brown amorphous material. 114 The same substance is obtained when a small fragment of solid potassium cyanide is added to a water solution of hydrocyanic acid. 115 231. Propionic nitrile, CH 3 . CH 2 . CN, dissolved in its own weight of anhydrous ether in contact with 20% metallic sodium is converted into dipropionic nitrile, melting at 47. 116 Under the same conditions, acetonitrile, CH 3 . CN, is converted into diacetonitrile, CH 3 . C(NH) .- CH 2 . CN, melting at 52. 117 232. When the same nitriles, pure and without the ether, are heated with metallic sodium or potassium (1 of metal to 9 of nitrile), they are polymerized into their trimers, acetonitrile into cyanethine, (C 2 NH 3 ) 8 . 11 Benzonitrile polymerizes on contact with sulphuric acid into cyaphenine: 119 /C Cells f N X \N 113 KOELICHEN, Z. phys. Chem., 33, 129 (1900). 114 WIPPERMANN, Berichte, 7, 767 (1874). 118 LESCOEUR and RIGAUT, Compt. rend., 89, 310; Bull. Soc. Chim. (2), 34, 473 (1880). VON MEYER, J. prakt. Chem. (2), 38, 337 (1888). i" HOLTZWART, Ibid. (2), 39, 230 (1889). 118 FRANKLAND and KOLBE, Annalen, 65, 269 (1848). BAYER, Berichte, 2, 319 (1869) and 4, 176 (1871). VON MEYER, J. prakt. Chem. (2), 27, 153 (1883). 119 HOFMANN, Berichte, i, 198 (1868). 85 CONDENSATIONS BY ADDITIONS 236 233. Cyanamide, either in the cold in contact with concentrated caustic soda or potash, or in a hot solution to which is added a little ammonia, is transformed into dicyanamide. 120 3. DEPOLYMERIZATIONS 234. Depolymerizations are far more rare than polymerizations, since the polymers usually correspond to a much more stable molec- ular state. In exceptional cases, polymers can be decomposed into the simple molecules by the action of heat and this return is greatly facilitated by the very catalysts that cause the polymerization. This is the case with paraldehydes and metaldehydes. The cat- alysts which at low temperature polymerize the aldehydes into their trimers break these up at high temperatures to regenerate the alde- hydes. A trace of concentrated sulphuric acid, hydrochloric acid, calcium or zinc chloride or the like is sufficient to change hot par- aldehydes into the monomolecular aldehydes. 121 Likewise metalde- hydes are transformed into the aldehydes by heating with dilute sul- phuric acid. 122 Certain aldols can be decomposed, by warming with a trace of potassium carbonate, regenerating the two molecules of the original aldehyde. But with benzoine and analogous compounds this decom- position does not take place simply. 235. The transformation of pinene and especially of dipentene, C 10 H 10 , into isoprene, C 5 H 8 , which is realized by the action of an in- candescent platinum spiral, 123 appears to be due to the catalytic action of the metal, for this reaction can be caused by passing the vapors of the terpene over pumice impregnated with platinum black in an iron tube at a very low red. 124 4. CONDENSATIONS BETWEEN DISSIMILAR MOLECULES Aldehydes and Ketones 236. Aldehydes and ketones can add molecules of other kinds, the reactions being comparable to aldolizations and aided by catalysts of the same nature. 120 HAAO, Annalen, 122, 22 (1862). BAUMANN, Berichte, 6, 1373 (1873). GRUBE and KRUQER, Zeit. phys. Chem., 86, 65 (1914). 121 FRANKE and KOHN, Monatsh. Chem., 19, 354 (1898). 122 BURSTYN, Ibid., 23, 737 (1902). 128 HARRIES and GOTTLOB, Annalen, 383, 228 (1911). STAUDINGER and KLEVER, Berichte, 44, 2212 (1911). 124 SCHORGER and SAYBE, J. Ind. Eng. Chem., 7, 924 (1915). 237 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 86 This reaction is general between aldehydes and nitroparaffines and gives nitroalcohols. The presence of an alkali, or better an alkali carbonate, is sufficient to cause the reaction. By adding a small fragment of potassium bicarbonate to a mix- ture of equal molecules of nitromethane and acetaldehyde, with an equal volume of water, l-nitropropanol(2) is obtained: 125 CH 3 CO - H + CH 3 NO 2 = CH 3 CH(OH) - CH 2 NO 2 - Likewise nitroethane condenses with formaldehyde in the presence of a little neutral potassium carbonate to give 2-nitropropyl alcohol t CH 3 . CH(N0 2 ) . CH 2 OH. 126 Several aldehyde molecules may take part in the reaction. Nitro- propane and formaldehyde with a little potassium carbonate give 2-nitro-methanol(2)-butanol(l) : 127 CH 3 -CH 2 -CH 2 N0 2 + 2HCHO = CH 3 -CH 2 C(N0 2 )(CH 2 OH) 2 - A mixture of formaldehyde (commercial formaldehyde solution) and nitro-methane reacts violently on the addition of a fragment of potassium bicarbonate to give 2-nitro-methylol(2)propanediol(l,3), a nitro-triprimary alcohol melting at 158. 128 3HCHO + CH 3 N0 2 = C(N0 2 )(CH 2 OH) 3 - 237. The mixture of glyceric aldehyde and dihydroxy 'acetone which is produced by the air-oxidation of glycerine in the presence of finely divided platinum (92), condenses into i-laevulose in contact with a water solution of caustic soda: 129 CH 2 OH CHOH CHO - + CH 2 OH - CO CH 2 OH = CH 2 OH CHOH - CHOH - CHOH - CO - CH 2 OH - 238. Acetone reacts with chloroform in the presence of solid caus- tic potash to give acetone-chloroform or trichlor-tertiary -butyl alcohol: (CH 3 ) 2 CO + HCC1 3 = (CH 3 ) 2 - C(OH) - CC1 3 To a mixture of 500 parts acetone and 100 parts chloroform, 300 parts of pulverized caustic potash are added very slowly and the mix- ture left for 36 hours. 130 239. Anhydrous aluminum chloride can sometimes cause the same "5 HENRY, Bull Soc. Chim. (3), 13, 993 (1895). "6 HENRY, Ibid., 15, 1223 (1896). 127 PAUWELS, Chem. CentbL, 1898 (1), 193. 128 HENRY, Compt. rend., 121, 210 (1895). 129 E. FISCHER and TAFBL, Berichte, 22, 106 (1882). WOHL and NEUBERG, Ibid., 33, 3098 (1900). 130 WILLGERODT and GENIESER, J. prakt. Chem. (2), 37, 361 (1888). 87 CONDENSATIONS BY ADDITIONS 224 sort of reactions Thus chloral gives an addition compound with naphthalene, C 10 H 7 .CH(OH) . CC1 3 . 131 240. Acetylation of Aldehydes. The addition of the anhydrides of monobasic organic acids to aldehydes yields esters of the ethylidene glycols corresponding to the aldehydes. This reaction is catalyzed by the presence of various metal salts, copper sulphate, zinc chloride f ferric chloride, and stannic chloride and even by sulphuric acid. Thus benzaldehyde and acetanhydride give benzylidene acetate quantita- tively in the presence of copper sulphate: C 6 H 5 -CHO + (CH 3 CO) 2 = C 6 H 5 -CH(0-COCH 3 ) 2 - In the presence of stannic chloride, vanilline gives a quantitative yield of the triacetate, the phenol group being simultaneously acetylated. 132 Hydrocarbons 241. Unsaturated hydrocarbons, ethylenic or acetylenic, may add themselves to hydrocarbons in the presence of aluminum chloride. 133 By passing acetylene into benzene containing aluminum chloride, symmetrical diphem/l-ethane is obtained: 134 C 6 H 6 + CH : CH + C 6 H 3 and also a certain amount of styrene formed by the addition of only one molecule of benzene: C 6 H 6 + CH i CH = CeHg-CH: CH 2 . By passing ethylene into a warm mixture of diphenyl and alumi- num chloride, ethyl-diphenyl is obtained: CeHs Cells -|- CH 2 : CH 2 = CeHs CeEU CH 2 CHa along with some of the diethyl derivative. 135 242. In an analogous way anhydrous aluminum chloride causes the addition of carbon tetrachloride or of chloroform to ethylenic chlorine derivatives. Thus trichlor ethylene, CC1 2 : CHC1, gives, with carbon tetra- 131 TRANSPORTER and DANIELS, J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 37, 2560 (1915). 132 KNOEVENAGEL, Annalen, 402, 111 (1913). 133 This may be considered as a case of the Friedel and Crafts reaction. A trace of water is always present and reacts with the aluminum chloride to give hydrochloric acid which adds to the hydrocarbon to form an alkyl chloride which then reacts in the usual way liberating hydrochloric acid which repeats the reaction. E. E. R. 13 * VARET and VIENNE, Bull. Soc. Chim. (2), 47, 919 (1887). 135 ADAM, Bull. Soc. Chim. (2), 47, 689 (1887) and Ann. Chim. Phys. (6), 15, 252 (1888). 243 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 88 chloride, heptachlorpropane, CC1 3 . CHC1 . CC1 8 , boiling at 249, and with chloroform, hexachlorpropane, CC1 3 . CHC1 . CHC1 2 , boiling at 216. Likewise dichlorethylene, CHC1 : CHC1, and chloroform give symmetrical pentachlorpropane, CHC1 2 . CHC1 . CHC1 2 , boiling at 198 . 136 See Chapter XX for the reverse reactions caused by aluminum chloride. 243. Stannic chloride causes an analogous addition of ethylenic or cyclohexenic chlorides to acid chlorides to form a-chlorketones. Aluminum chloride also can be used as catalyst in the reaction but is not so good. 137 136 PRINS, J. prakt. Chem. (2), 89, 414 (1914). 187 DARZENS, Compt. rend., 150, 707 (1910). CHAPTER V OXIDATIONS I. Direct Oxidations by Gaseous Oxygen 244. The action of oxygen on various substances, or oxidations, can be divided into three groups: 1. Oxidations which take place spontaneously as soon as the oxidisable material and oxygen are brought together under the proper conditions of temperature and pressure. 1 2. Oxidations which are brought about by the simultaneous oxida- tion of certain substances called auto-oxidisers. 3. Oxidations effected by substances which are apparently un- changed and which are called oxidation catalysts. At first sight only the latter seem to belong in the present treatise. But even in the first group, catalytic phenomena are of more or less importance. We have already mentioned (73) the influence of moisture on reactions. Practically, the amounts of water vapor con- tained in the air or in the oxygen, even when they are dried by the usual means, are sufficient to facilitate oxidations of the first class. The case of induced oxidations, that is as a consequence of simul- taneous oxidations, has been examined in Chapter III (150), and we have shown how we can sometimes pass from the mechanism of such reactions to catalytic oxidations which should be specially examined. 245. Platinum. The direct formation of a sort of unstable oxide on the surface of the platinum (154) permits us to explain the im- portant role of this metal in many oxidations. Its activity should be proportional to its surface and it can be shown that the surface is immeasurably larger for platinum sponge and especially for the black than it is for the same amount of metal in foil or wire. 246. The use of platinum black enables us to effect many oxida- tions. Ethyl alcohol poured on platinum black is vigorously oxidised to acetaldehyde and acetic acid; the black is sometimes made incan- descent and the alcohol may take fire. 1 In cases of this kind it is practically impossible to eliminate the catalytic effect of the interior surfaces of the walls of the containing vessel and hence it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between reactions of this kind and those of Class 3. H. D. GIBBS. 89 247 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 90 Formic and oxalic acids are burned to water and carbon dioxide. 2 Alcohols are usually oxidised to aldehydes and even to acids. Cinnamic aldehyde can be obtained thus from the corresponding alcohol. 3 By oxidising glycerine by air in the presence of platinum black, the isomers, gly eerie aldehyde and dihydroxy acetone, are obtained: * CH 2 OH - CHOH CH 2 OH + O = H 2 O + CH 2 OH CHOH CHO CH 2 OH - CHOH - CH 2 OH + O = H 2 O + CH 2 OH CO CH 2 OH - However, platinum black has no effect on a mixture of carbon monoxide and oxygen. 5 247. The results given by the black are irregular because its action is too violent, particularly at the beginning of the reaction. By substituting for it, platinized asbestos where the active ma- terial is diluted by a large proportion of inert material, regular oxida- tion of vapors mixed with suitable amounts of oxygen or of air, is obtained. The manufacture of sulphur trioxide is only an application of this on the large scale. 248. Colloidal platinum (67) has intense oxidising power, greater than that of the black. It gives 50% carbon dioxide with a mixture of carbon monoxide and half its volume of oxygen. 5 249. Platinum in very fine wire or very thin foil is employed industrially in the oxidation of ammonia gas by the oxygen of the air. The gaseous mixture, previously heated to about 300, is passed over the metal which is thereby maintained in incandescence. 6 Con- tact with the metal for one-five-hundredth of a second is sufficient to obtain a good yield of nitrous vapors which are easily transformed into nitric acid. It furnishes also an excellent method for the regular oxidation of alcohols and of other sufficiently volatile organic substances. 7 Trillat has described a method of operating which makes it easy to attain this end by the aid of a platinum wire which is heated by a current that can be regulated at will for any desired temperature 8 and over which a current of air passes laden with the vapors of the substance to be oxidised. 2 MULDER, Rec. Trav. Chim. Pays-Bos, 2, 44 (1883). 3 STRECKER, Annalen, 93, 370 (1855). 4 GRIMAUX, Bull. Soc. Chim. (2), 45, 481 (1886). 5 PAAL, Berichte, 49 548 (1916). 6 The points that are used in pyrography for burning designs on wood contain leaves of platinum foil which are heated by the catalytic combustion of the mixture of air and combustible vapors forced over them. E. E. R. 7 Better catalysts than platinum are known for the oxidation of many alcohols. See note to 254 infra. H. D. GIBBS. s TRILLAT, Bull. Soc. Chim. (3), 27, 797 (1902). 91 OXIDATIONS 251 Under these conditions methyl alcohol is oxidised below 200 chiefly to formaldehyde with some methylal and water but no acid. The acid appears when the spiral reaches a dull red, at the same time that the formaldehyde and methylal increase. At a cherry red these decrease and the proportion of carbon dioxide increases with increase of incandescence. The presence of water in the methyl alcohol favors the oxidation which goes best when 20% of water is present. Ethyl alcohol is oxidised as low as 225 and readily at a dull red with a yield of 16.8% of acetaldehyde and 2.3% acetal. The results are less and less favorable as the molecular weight of the alcohol increases. With propyl alcohol the yield of aldehyde is about the same as with ethyl, but is 12% for normal butyl alcohol and 5% for isobutyl. Isopropyl alcohol gives 16% acetone. Tertiary butyl alcohol breaks up, on oxidation, into formaldehyde, acetone and water. Allyl alcohol gives 5.8% acroleine, some acrylic acid, formaldehyde and glyoxal. Glycol oxidises at 90, raising the spiral to incandescence and yielding formaldehyde, glycolic aldehyde and glyoxal. 9 Glycerine gives principally formaldehyde and acroleine. Aromatic alcohols likewise produce some of the corresponding aldehyde. Benzyl alcohol has furnished 4% benzaldehyde and cuminyl alcohol, 5.7% cuminic aldehyde. Cinnamic alcohol gives some cinnamic aldehyde at a dull red and cinnamic acid and benzaldehyde at higher temperatures. Isoeugenol oxidises at a dull red to give 2.9% vanilline mixed with the unchanged substance. 10 250. The use of porous porcelain impregnated with platinum is advantageous for securing the complete oxidation of organic com- pounds in combustion analysis. 11 251. Metals of the Platinum Group. The various metals of this family may be used as sponge or better as black for the same pur- poses. Palladium black gives good results. 12 Osmium, a more moderate catalyst, sometimes has advantages. In the oxidation of cyclohexene, it gives some cyclohexenol accom- TRILLAT, Bull. Soc. Chim. (3), 29, 35 (1903). TRILLAT, Bull. Soc. Chim. (3), 29. 35 (1903). 11 CARRASCO and BBLLONI, /. Pharm. and Chim. (6), 27, 469; Chem. Centbl., 1908 (2), 95. 12 WIBLAND, Berichte, 46, 3327 (1913). 252 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 92 panied by adipic acid and other products. The other metals of the platinum family are not suitable for these reactions. Tellurium may be used, but it is less active than osmium. 13 Colloidal irridium can catalyze the oxidation of carbon monoxide as does colloidal platinum, but colloidal osmium is less efficient. 1 * 252. Gold and Silver. Gold and silver can be substituted for platinum in the preparation of formaldehyde. Silvered asbestos ob- tained by the reduction of the nitrate by formic acid and asbestos gilded by the reduction of the chloride are more active than platinized asbestos (245) , 16 253. Copper. In the oxidation of methyl alcohol by the method of Trillat (248), the platinum spiral can be replaced by a roll of copper gauze heated to a dull red. The results obtained are entirely similar. In operating thus with a current of 2.3 to 2.7 liters of air per minute, carrying 0.5 to 0.8 g. methyl alcohol, copper gauze gives a yield of 48.5% formaldehyde at 330. There is at the same time production of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and water vapor. 16 The direct oxidation of methane by air in contact with copper or silver is a practicable method for preparing formaldehyde. A mix- ture of one volume of moist air with three volumes of methane is passed over either of these metals or over a mixture of the two. The formaldehyde that is produced is taken out by contact with water and the residual gases are passed again over the catalyst. 17 254. Fokin, operating under identical conditions with air saturated with methyl alcohol vapor passed over various catalysts, has obtained the following yields of formaldehyde (figured on the methyl alcohol used) : 18 Gilded asbestos 71% Silvered asbestos 64-66 Coppered asbestos 43-47 Platinized asbestos 5.2 Reduced cobalt 2.8 Manganese in powder 2 Aluminum turnings 1.5 Reduced nickel 1.08 18 WILLSTATTER and SONNENFELD, Berichte, 46, 2952 (1913). " PAAL, Berichte, 49, 548 (1916). 16 FOKIN, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 45, 286 (1913) ; C. A., 7, 2227. 16 ORLOFF, /. Russian Phys. Chem. /Soc., 39, 855 and 1023 (1907) ; C. A., 2, 263 and 1692. 1T VEREIN p. CHEM. IND., German patent, 286,731, /. Soc. Chem. Ind., 35, 73 (1916). 18 FOKIN, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 45, 286 (1913) ; C. A., 7, 2227. 93 OXIDATIONS 266 A maximum yield of 84% was obtained by a mixture of silver and copper. The silvered or gilded asbestos requires an initial tempera- ture of only 200-250 and the heat evolved is sufficient to maintain it at a suitable temperature. Copper used alone requires continual heating, but this can be avoided by placing ahead of the copper gauze some fragments of pumice impregnated with platinum or palladium the incandescence of which heats the gas sufficiently. 19 The presence of lead in the copper is unfavorable. Ethyl, propyl, isobutyl and isoamyl alcohols may be oxidised under like conditions. 20 Ether is oxidised to formaldehyde and acet- aldehyde. 21 Various hydrocarbons have been submitted to regular oxidation by the same process but the products have not been fully studied. 22 255. As acetaldehyde can be prepared from acetylene (309), its direct oxidation to acetic acid is an interesting industrial problem. It appears to be realized by the use of platinum; the aldehyde vapors carried by air or oxygen over platinized asbestos kept at 130- 40 are regularly transformed into acetic acid. 23 256. The same metals may be used as catalysts for the direct oxidation of ammonia or amines. Moist ammonia yields ammonium nitrite with a little nitrate and very little free nitrogen. Moist methyl amine gives formaldehyde along with ammonium nitrite and nitrate, while ethyl amine gives some acetaldehyde. Dimethylaniline produces formaldehyde and a complex aromatic amine. 24 Aniline, toluidine and pyridine are oxidised with the forma- tion of complex oily products. 25 19 The oxidation of isopropyl alcohol has been extensively investigated by R. R. Williams and H. D. Gibbs in connection with the utilization of the waste unsaturated gases obtained in large quantities from the petroleum cracking stills. It was found that the best catalyst was brass (zinc and copper). The isopropyl alcohol is mixed with air and passed through brass gauze at about 200. With a catalytic chamber of a proper volume in relation to the radiation surface, the reaction is continuous and requires no external heat. The yield of acetone is over 90% of the theory. That the reaction is essentially a dehydro- genation is shown by passing the isopropyl alcohol over the catalyst without the oxygen of the atmosphere, acetone is formed but the necessary heat must be supplied externally. This work was done for the U. S. Government during the war but the report has not yet been published. H. D. GIBBS. 20 ORLOFF, Ibid., 40, 203 (1908); C. A., 2, 3346. 21 ORLOFF, Ibid., p. 799; C. A., 3, 1147. 22 ORLOFF, Ibid., p. 652. 23 DREYFUS, French patent, 487,412 (1918). 24 TRILLAT, Bull. Soc. Chim. (3), 29, 873 (1903). 28 ORLOFF, /. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 40, 659 (1908). 257 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 94 257. Carbon. The less combustible forms of carbon may serve as oxidation catalysts. Coke at 200 aids in transforming toluene into benzoic acid. 26 27 Coal and lignite after being heated in the air to 300 are good oxidation catalysts between 150 and 300 ; the action, being partly due to the oxide of iron which they contain, is increased by the addition of ferric oxide. They can be used in the oxidation of ethyl alcohol to acetaldehyde and acetic acid, and of toluene into benzaldehyde and benzoic acid. Anthracene gives anthraquinone and borneol forms camphor and camphoric acid. 28 258. Metallic Oxides. A large number of metallic oxides act as oxidation catalysts and for the most of them this property can be readily explained by the fact that they are readily reduced to the metals or to lower oxides by the substances to be oxidised and are readily reoxidised directly by oxygen. This is the case with the oxides of copper, nickel and cobalt. When alcohol vapors alone are passed over copper oxide moderately heated, aldehyde is formed and the oxide is reduced, but if the air is mixed with the alcohol vapors the copper is immediately reoxidised and can recommence the oxidation of the alcohol. A like explanation fits the case of ferric oxide, which can be reduced to a lower oxide which is reoxidised by the air. It is more difficult to perceive the mechanism in the case of oxides which can not be reduced to suboxides e. g. chromium sesquioxide which is, nevertheless, an excellent oxidation catalyst. 29 The catalytic activity of iron sesquioxide, such as is obtained by roasting pyrites, is utilized industrially in the manufacture of sul- phuric acid by the contact process. 259. The use of metallic oxides as catalysts in the oxidation of organic compounds has until recent years been limited to copper oxide 26 DBNNSTEDT and HASSLER, German patent, 203,848, Chem. Centrbl., 1908, (2), 1750. 27 During the war various forms of carbon were extensively studied as adsorbents for gases and as catalysts for certain reactions. Very active forms of charcoal were developed by high heat treatments. These charcoals were found to be excellent clarifying agents for solutions, and some forms catalyzed certain reactions to a high degree. The reaction between chlorine and water was found to be quite rapid at low temperatures, even so low as 0, and at 100 it is very vigorous. The reaction is 2 C1 2 + 2H 2 O > 4HC1 + 2 . This would constitute a reversal of the Deacon process were it not for the fact that the oxygen does not appear as such but unites with the carbon gradually con- suming the catalyst. See: The Production of Hydrochloric Acid from Chlorine and Water. GIBBS, /. Ind. and Eng. Chem., 12, 538 (1920). H. D. GIBBS. 28 WOOG, Compt. rend., 145, 124 (1907) ; C. A., i, 2690. 29 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 142, 1394 (1906); C., 1906, (2), 402. 95 OXIDATIONS which is the real agent when copper is used, as has been said above. Sabatier and Mailhe have shown that the oxides of copper, nickel, and cobalt, as well as those of chromium, manganese, uranium, etc., have catalytic properties entirely comparable to those of finely divided platinum. When these oxides are heated to 200 in a mix- ture of oxygen with the vapors of aliphatic hydrocarbons (methane, pentane, hexane, and heptane), they become incandescent and main- tain themselves so, giving mainly water and carbon dioxide, but also a certain amount of aldehyde and acid. 29 Almost simultaneously with the above work, Matignon and Trannoy have shown the possibility of realizing a lamp without flame by the aid of asbestos fibers impregnated with the oxides of iron, nickel, chromium, copper, manganese, cerium, and silver suspended in a mixture of air and ether vapor. 30 The use of ferric oxide between 175 and 300 permits the regular oxidation of toluene to benzaldehyde ; the most favorable tempera- ture is 280 and the yield of aldehyde may reach 20%. Above 280 the oxide becomes incandescent and there is partial charring of the products. Employed in the same way, nickel oxide gives benzaldehyde above 150, while at 270 incandescence begins to manifest itself. With copper oxide (oxidised turnings), the reaction takes place between 180 and 260. 31 32 80 MATIGNON and TRANNOY, Compt. rend., 142, 1210 (1906); C., 1906 (2), 202. 31 WOOG, Compt. rend., 145, 124 (1907), C. A., i, 2690. 32 The catalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide at low temperatures may be brought about by certain metals such as platinum and palladium but the time of contact necessary for complete oxidation is quite great. Mixtures of certain metallic oxides are much more effective and may bring about the catalytic oxida- tion of carbon monoxide at room temperatures with a surprisingly short time of contact. These mixed-oxide catalysts require careful preparation in order that they may function under these conditions. Fineness of subdivision and intimacy of admixture of the ingredients are among the most essential condi- tions. The most important of this class of catalysts for the oxidation of carbon monoxide contains, as its essential constituent, manganese dioxide made by the method of Fremy (Compt. rend., 82, 1213 (1876). Copper oxide or silver oxide, when properly incorporated with this manganese dioxide, gives an excellent catalyst which is capable of effecting the catalytic oxidation with great rapidity even at temperatures somewhat below C. To prepare the catalyst, the Fremy oxide is washed free of sulphates and filtered on a Buchner funnel. This paste, usually containing about 60% of water, is analyzed for moisture by drying to constant weight at 130 in oxygen. A weighed amount of this paste is mixed with a large volume of cold water, care being taken to secure a uniform suspension. To this suspension is added such 260 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 96 260. Vanadium pentoxide is also a very active oxidation catalyst and can transform the vapors of ethyl alcohol mixed with air into acetaldehyde and acetic acid. 33 Acetaldehyde can also be changed to acetic acid; this oxidation is readily realized by passing a current of air through a solution of the aldehyde in glacial acetic acid con- taining oxides of vanadium, 34 uranium 35 and iron. 36 261. Cerium oxide also can be employed for transforming ace- taldehyde into acetic acid (256). The aldehyde mixed with 1% cerium oxide is submitted to the action of oxygen at two atmospheres or of air at higher pressures. The oxidation evolves heat and gives a yield of 95%. 3T an amount of a solution of copper or silver nitrate, as the case may be, as will give a mixture of 75% of manganese dioxide to 25% of the other oxide and, with continual vigorous stirring, a solution of sodium carbonate is run in till precipitation is just complete. The precipitate is filtered, carefully washed, and thoroughly dried at about 130. In order to produce a harder and less friable product, it is well to compress the material in a filter press before drying. Silver oxide may be precipitated by caustic soda, but with copper, sodium carbonate must be used, the copper carbonate passing into the oxide during the drying. Both silver and copper oxides may be used in the catalyst. Certain other oxides, such as iron oxide, may be tolerated in limited amounts and appear to act only as diluents. When properly prepared, these catalysts will bring about the com- plete oxidation of carbon monoxide provided a sufficient amount of oxygen is present in the mixture. Moisture is rapidly absorbed by the catalyst, diminish- ing its activity, hence the gas mixture must be relatively dry for the oxidation to be catalytic. J. C. W. FRAZER. 33 NAUMANN, MOESER, and LINDENBAUM, /. prakt. Chem. (2), 75, 146 (1907). 34 Vanadium pentoxide is an excellent catalyst for the oxidation of toluene to benzaldehyde, anthracene to anthraquinone, naphthalene to phthalic anhy- dride and other reactions of a similar nature. Phthalic anhydride is produced in America almost exclusively by this proc- ess. Naphthalene is volatilized in an air stream and passed over the catalyst. The reaction begins at about 300 and attains a maximum yield at about 400 to 450, equaling about 50% of the theoretical. [ GIBBS, J. Ind. Eng. Chem., n, 1031 (1919)]. Vanadium compounds have been extensively employed in the production of aniline black. [PINKNEY, Brit. pat. 2745 of 1871, See Chem. News, 33, 116 (1876)]. Austerweil (U. S. pat. 979,247 (1910); C. A., 5, 972) used vanadium com- pounds in solution to catalyze the oxidization of borneol to camphor by nitric acid. H. D. GIBBS. 36 Recently the oxidation of benzene vapors by air in the presence of vanadium pentoxide has assumed commercial importance as a method for manu- facturing malei'c acid, WEISS and DOWNS, /. Ind. Eng. Chem., 12, 228 (1920), V. S. patents 1,318,631-2-3, Oct. 14, 1919, C. A., 14, 70; Can. pat. 192,766, Sept. 16, 1919, C. A., 13, 2683. E. E. R. 36 JOHNSON, English patent 17,424 of 1911; /. Soc. Chem. Ind., 31, 772 (1912). 87 FARBW. MEISTER, Lucius and BRUNING, English patent 10,377 of 1914, /. Soc. Chem. Ind., 33, 961 (1914). 97 OXIDATIONS 264 The use of cerium oxide permits acetic acid being made from ace- tylene in one operation by effecting the hydration (309) and oxidation simultaneously. It is sufficient to circulate a mixture of 130 parts acetylene and 80 to 100 parts oxygen through a mixture of 400 parts glacial acetic acid, 100 parts water, 50 parts mercuric nitrate, and 10 parts cerium oxide kept between 50 and 100. 38 262. Anthracene can be transformed directly into anthraquinone by gaseous oxygen under pressure and in the presence of catalysts. 39 Osmium peroxide in the small amount of 0.05% realizes this oxida- tion rapidly with oxygen under 10 atmospheres pressure. 40 The same result can be obtained by keeping anthracene suspended in 30 parts water containing a little ammonia and 0.5 part copper oxide for 20 hours at 170 with compressed oxygen. 41 The mixture of oxides remaining from the manufacture of Welsbach incandescent mantles has been proposed as a catalyst for direct oxidation. 42 263. Metallic Chlorides. Anhydrous aluminum chloride, A1C1 3 , causes the direct fixation of atmospheric oxygen by aromatic hydro- carbons. Benzene gives a certain amount of phenol and toluene yields m.cresole. 43 264. Manganous Salts. As has been stated in Chapter III (153), manganous salts are active agents of direct oxidation, particularly in water solution. This activity persists whatever be the acid constit- uent of the salt; it is observed in the salts of mineral acids, in the acetate, butyrate, benzoate and oxalate: it is sixteen times as great in the succinate as in the nitrate. We can assume that the manganous salt is partially hydrolyzed in water solution and that the resulting manganous hydroxide is oxidised to the dioxide by one atom of an oxygen molecule, the other oxidising the organic compound. The nascent manganese dioxide, in turn, would part with its extra oxygen to another portion of the organic compound and the manganous hydroxide thus regenerated would begin the cycle again. A trace of the manganous salt would thus be able to oxidise an unlimited amount of the oxidisable substance. 44 3 8 DREYFUS, French patent 479,656, J. Soc. Chem. Ind,, 35, 1179 (1916). 39 The best catalyst yet found for oxidising anthracene to anthraquinone is vanadic oxide. The conditions are about the same as for the oxidation of naphthalene to phthalic anhydride. H. D. GIBBS. * HOFMANN, Berichte, 45, 3329 (1912). 41 German patent, 292,681. 42 MASON and WILSON, Proc. Chem. Soc., 21, 296 (1905); C., 1906 (1), 395. * 3 FRiEDEL and CRAFTS, Ann. Chim. Phys. (6), 14, 435 (1888). "BERTRAND, Bull. Soc. Chim. (3), 17, 753 (1897). 265 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 98 Cerium salts may frequently act similarly (153). 265. Oxidation of Oils. The bleaching of oils can be effected by a moderate oxidation with warm air in the presence of catalytic oxides which doubtless act after being transformed into metallic soaps, the true decolorizers. Palm oil through which a current of air is passed at 80-90 is bleached in four hours if 0.2% manganese borate is added. The same oil with 0.1% cobalt borate is bleached in 3.5 hours by the passage of less than its own volume of air. With the same proportion of nickel or iron borate, about three times as much air and 10 hours are required. 45 If the operation is carried on in an autoclave with compressed air, the addition of 0.02% of cobalt soap permits various oils to be bleached perfectly and rapidly. 46 266. The so-called drying oils, such as linseed and poppy seed, have the property of rapidly becoming thick jin contact with air, which oxidises them, converting them into resinous substances which are almost insoluble in boiling alcohol. It has long been known that this drying power, depending on the oxidisability, is greatly increased by incorporating with the oils small proportions of salts of lead and particularly of manganese, the important accelerating agent appearing to be the metallic soap formed with the oil. 47 The metallic soaps that are the most active are those containing metals which are capable of several degrees of oxidation, particularly, cobalt, manganese, cerium, lead, chromium, iron, and uranium, while soaps containing bismuth, aluminum, mercury, and thallium are less active. 48 The direct oxidation of oils is retarded by moisture and accelerated by light. Elevation of temperature and increase of the pressure of the oxygen increase the velocity of the oxidation. 49 267. Metallic Silicates. Silicates can sometimes be substituted for the corresponding oxides. Kaolin (aluminum silicate) causes the union of hydrogen and oxygen at 230. B0 45 SASTRY, J. Chem. Soc., 107, 1828 (1916). 46 RAI, J. Soc. Chem. Ind., 36, 948 (1917). 47 LIVACHE, Compt. rend., 124, 1520 (1897); C., 1897 (2), 332. 48 MACKEY and INGLE, J. Soc. Chem. Ind., 36, 317 (1917). 49 FOKIN, Z. angew. Chem., 22, 1451 (1909). o JOANNIS, Compt. rend., 158, 501 (1914) ; C. A., 9, 1866. OXIDATIONS 269 II. Oxidations Carried Out with Oxidising Agents 268. Oxidations by Hydrogen Peroxide. The oxidation of or- ganic compounds by hydrogen peroxide can be advantageously cat- alyzed by small quantities of ferrous or ferric salts (acetate). 61 Methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, isobutyl, and isoamyl alcohols are oxidised to a mixture of aldehyde and acid, the acid being more abundant when ferrous oxalate is used than with the sulphate. The addition of wood charcoal favors the production of aldehyde. Man- ganous salts can be substituted for the iron. 62 Glycol furnishes glycolic aldehyde without any glyoxal. 63 Glycerine reacts vigorously to give glyceric aldehyde, along with a little dihydroxy -acetone. 541 Arabite yields an araboketose and dulcite, galactose. 55 Malic acid passes into oxalacetic acid, H0 2 C .- CO . CH 2 . C0 2 H. 66 Benzene is partially transformed into phenol and then to pyro- catechol; 57 p.hydroxybenzaldehyde, HO . C 6 H 4 . CHO, gives proto- catechuic aldehyde. 58 Amines likewise undergo a regular oxidation to the corresponding aldehydes when they are warmed above 50 with hydrogen peroxide in presence of a ferrous salt; ethylamine giving acetaldehyde; isoamyl- amine, isovaleric aldehyde; benzylamine, benzaldehyde, while amino- ethyl alcohol is changed, above 30, to a mixture of glycolic aldehyde and glyoxal. The use of the double cyanide of copper and potassium permits the oxidation of morphine hydrochloride by hydrogen peroxide to dehydromorphine and pseudomorphine. Furfural in alcoholic beverages can be destroyed slowly by the addition of 1% hydrogen peroxide and 0.01% manganese acetate. 6 * 269. Oxidation by Nitric Acid. Vanadium pentoxide, employed 51 FENTON, J. Chem. Soc., 65, 899 (1894). 52 DOROSHEVSKII and BARDT, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 46, 754 (1914); C. A., 9, 1865. 53 FENTON and JACKSON, J. Chem. Soc., 75, 575 (1899). "FENTON and JACKSON, Ibid., 75, 1 (1899). 55 NEUBERG, Berichte, 35, 962 (1902). 56 FENTON and JONES, J. Chem. Soc., 77, 69 (1900) and 79, 91 (1901). 57 CROSS, BEVAN and HEIBERG, Berichte, 33, 2015 (1900). 68 SOMMER, German patent, 155,731, C., 1904 (2), 1631. 59 SUTO, Biochem. Zeitschr., 71, 169 (1915); C. A., 9, 3059. 60 DENIGES, Bull. Soc. Chim. (4), 9, 264 (1911). 61 CHAUVIN, Ann. Falsij., 6, 463 (1913) ; C. A., 8, 981. 269 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 100 in the ratio of 0.1 g. to 50 g. cane sugar and 500 cc. nitric acid (density 1.4) causes the complete oxidation of the sugar in 20 to 30 hours in the cold to oxalic acid without the formation of saccharic, mucic, tartaric acids, etc., as by-products. Above 70, carbon dioxide and water are obtained instead of oxalic acid. 62 In the presence of mercuric nitrate, nitric acid oxidises anthracene to anthraquinone. The reaction is finished in three hours if 117 parts anthracene suspended in 300 parts nitrobenzene are warmed to 30 with 460 parts 31% nitric acid in which three parts of mercury have been dissolved. 63 In the nitration of aromatic compounds by mixtures of nitric and sulphuric acids, the presence of a mercuric salt has no influence, but with nitric acid of density 1.3, it causes oxidation along with nitra- tion or the substitution of a nucleus hydrogen by the phenolic hy- droxyl group. Thus benzene, toluene, and ethyl-benzene give nitro- phenols. It is possible to prepare 2,4-dinitrophenol and picric acid by heating benzene on the steam bath under reflux with 8 times its weight of nitric acid, density 1.3, and 15% mercuric nitrate. The oxidation must precede the nitration, since nitrobenzene is not oxidised by this treatment. 6465 62 NAUMANN, MOESER, and LINDENBAUM, J. prakt. Chem. (2), 75, 148 (1907). 63 U. S. patent, 119,546. 64 WOLLFENSTEIN and BOTERS, Berichte, 46, 586 (1913). 65 In addition to vanadium and mercury compounds, a number of other substances have been found to accelerate oxidation by nitric acid. Disregarding the mechanism of reaction, oxides of nitrogen and nitrous acid may be con- sidered as catalysts for oxidation by nitric acid. For instance, VELEY (Proc. Roy. Soc., 48, 45&-9 (1891) ) found that the presence of nitrous acid initiated the oxi- dation of copper, mercury and bismuth by 30% nitric acid. Oxides of nitrogen are mentioned a number of times in the patent literature as being necessary or desirable for the purpose of starting oxidation of organic compounds by nitric acid, especially in the manufacture of camphor. Molybdenum compounds, salts of manganese, iron, cerium and palladium, and even salts of calcium and magnesium have, under various conditions, been found to accelerate oxidations by nitric acid. Probably, in many cases, the acceleration produced by foreign substances is due to the reducing action of the substance on the nitric acid, with consequent formation of oxides of nitrogen. Thus the Commercial Research Company proposes to start the oxidizing action of nitric acid on aromatic hydro- carbons with side chains by means of formaldehyde, copper, zinc, starch or other reducing substance (Brit. Pat., 141,333 (1920) ). Nitration by means of nitric acid is likewise accelerated by dissolved oxides of nitrogen. KLEMENC and EKL (Monatsh. 39, 641-98 (1918) ) studied the nitra- tion of a number of phenol derivatives and concluded that pure nitric acid, free from dissolved nitrogen peroxide or nitrous acid, does not cause nitration. HOLDERMANN (Berichte, 39, 1250 (1906) ) obtained negative results in efforts to influence the position of the entering nitre-groups by nitrating in the pres- 101 OXIDATIONS ,>> t \_/ f 270. Oxidations by Hypochlorites. The additfoir of a ''very small amount of a cobalt or nickel salt to a solution of an alkaline hypochlorite, or chloride of lime, causes the evolution of oxygen in the cold. 66 This oxidising mixture may be used for oxidising organic sub- stances. It transforms o.nitrotoluene into o.nitrobenzaldehyde and acid. 67 By the same means, phenanthridene is oxidised to phenanthri- done: 68 C 6 H 4 - CH C 6 H 4 - CO CH 4 - N CeH4 - NH and acridine into acridone: / CH V / C0 \ 4x ^CeHi CeH^ x \N / \NH/ 271. Oxidations by Chlorates. The oxidation of aniline hydro- chloride, in the preparation of aniline black, is carried out in the cold by a solution of potassium or sodium chlorate with the aid of metal catalysts, the most active of which is vanadium pentoxide, V 2 5 , of which one part is sufficient for 270,000 parts of aniline and the corre- sponding amount of chlorate. Salts of cerium and, to a less extent, those of copper and iron are useful catalysts but less powerful. Osmium peroxide, Os0 4 , is at least as powerful as vanadium pent- ence of catalysts, but an appreciably greater yield of dinitrobenzene, from nitro- benzene, was obtained by nitrating with, rather than without, a small amount of mercuric nitrate, under conditions otherwise similar (28.0% and 23.5% of theory respectively). Also, Holdermann obtained evidence that mercuric ni- trate acts as catalyst in the nitration of beta-methylanthraquinone. For the control of the position of the entering nitro-group, the use of considerable quan- tities of different acids mixed with the nitric acid is more promising than the use of small amounts of metal salts. See TINGLE and BLANCK (/. Amer. Chem. Soc., 30, 1395 and 1587 (1908) ). Additional data on simultaneous nitration and oxidation in the presence of mercury compounds are given by WOLFFENSTEIN and PAAB (Berichte, 46, 589 (1913) ) and VIGNON (Bull. Soc. Chim., 27, 547-50 (1920) ). There are also a number of patents on this subject. Silver, copper and aluminum salts are said to act as catalysts as well as mercury. A. S. RICHARDSON. 66 FLEITMANN, Annalen, 134, 64 (1865). 67 BADISCHE, German patent, 127,388, C., 1902 (1), 150. 68 PICTET and PATRY, Berichte, 26, 1962 (1893). 272 v , ^CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 102 oxide and its use makes it possible to oxidise anthracene to anthra- quinone by means of chlorates. 69 272. Oxidations by Sulphur Trioxide. Fuming sulphuric acid is frequently used as an oxidiser for organic compounds, the trioxide being reduced to the dioxide, but its action is not rapid enough in the absence of metallic catalysts, the most active being mercuric sulphate between 290 and 390. 70 The sulphates of potassium, magnesium, manganese, and cobalt are without effect, while those of nickel and iron act feebly. Only the sulphate of copper can replace that of mer- cury in practice but it is disadvantageous. It should be mentioned that a mixture of the sulphates of copper and mercury is more active than the two taken separately. 71 It has been proposed to add to the sulphuric acid the mixture of the rare earths (oxides of cerium, lanthanium, etc.) which is a by- product in the manufacture of thorium nitrate, but this has not proved to be of any advantage. 72 In the Kjeldahl method for estimating nitrogen in organic com- pounds, the substances are boiled for a long time with fuming sul- phuric acid. During the oxidation of the carbon and hydrogen, all the nitrogen passes into ammonia which is retained by the sulphuric acid without being burned. The addition of 0.5% mercuric sulphate triples the speed of the oxidation. 73 In practice, 1 to 2 g. of mercury to 20 cc. acid is used for 5 to 7 g. of sample to be analyzed. 273. The chief application of oxidation by fuming sulphuric acid is the preparation of phthalic acid from naphthalene, a reaction which is the basis of one of the methods for making artificial indigo. 74 When naphthaline is moderately heated with the acid, sulphonation takes place, but above 200 oxidation sets in. At 275 the oxidation rate is quintupled by 1% of mercuric sulphate. 75 274. In the presence of mercuric sulphate, fuming sulphuric acid can oxidise anthraquinone and further oxidise the hydroxyanthra- quinones first formed. Thus anthraquinone and 1-hydroxy anthra- quinone give quinizarine, 1,4-C 14 H 6 2 (OH) 2 . 76 At 200-250, alizarine gives quinalizarine, 1,2,5,8-C 14 H 4 2 (OH) 4 , 6 * HOFMANN and SCHUMPELT, Berichte, 48, 816 (1915). 70 GRAEBE, Berichte, 29, 2806 (1896). 71 BREDIG and BROWN, Z. physik. Chem., 46, 502 (1903). DITZ, Chem. Zeit., 29, 581 (1905); C., 1905 (2), 485. 73 WILFARTH, Chem. Centr., 1885, 17 and 113. 74 BADISCHE, German patent, 91,202. 75 This process is being replaced by the high temperature air oxidation process. See note to 260 supra. H. D. GIBBS. 76 WACKER, /. prakt. Chem. (2), 54, 88 (1896). 103 OXIDATIONS 277 and 1,3,5,7-tetrahydroxyanthraquinone heated with 20 parts of sul- phuric acid of 66 Be. to the same temperature in the presence of 0.05 part mercuric sulphate, yields 1,3,4,5,7,8-hexahydroxyanthraquinone or anthracene blue. The addition of boric acid greatly favors these reactions. 275. Oxidations by Permanganates. The oxidation of aliphatic alcohols by potassium permanganate in presence of ferrous sulphate readily gives aldehydes but, on the contrary, in the presence of ferrous oxalate, the acids are formed quantitatively. 77 276. Oxidations by Persulphates. The persulphates of the alka- lies mixed with nitric acid and a small quantity of silver nitrate are useful for oxidising organic compounds. The active agent is a silver peroxide or pernitrate which is constantly regenerated by the per- sulphate. 78 Benzene is transformed into quinone by this means, and oxalic acid is burned to carbon dioxide. Quinone is broken up into a number of products among which is found maleic acid. 79 277. Oxidations by Nitrobenzene. In the dye industry nitro- benzene is frequently used as an oxidising agent, being reduced to aniline; the presence of ferrous salts aids in these oxidations. 77 DOROSHEVSKII and BARDT, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 46, 754 (1914) ; C. A., 9, 1865. 78 KEMPF, Berichte, 38, 3963 (1905). BABOROVSKY and KUZMA, Z. Elektroch., 14, 196 (1908). KEMPF, Berichte, 39, 3715 (1906). CHAPTER VI VARIOUS SUBSTITUTIONS IN MOLECULES i. INTRODUCTION OF CHLORINE, BROMINE AND IODINE Chlorinations 278. The presence of anhydrous chlorides is a great aid in the direct chlorination of organic compounds, whether the chlorides are added as such or as the elements which are immediately transformed into the chlorides by the chlorine. There is no need to distinguish between these two. Iodine or Iodine Chloride. Iodine, or iodine monochloride, in presence of an organic substance and of chlorine is changed to the trichloride which gives up chlorine to the organic substance, being itself reduced to the monochloride which starts all over again. With 2 to 12% of iodine it is easy to chlorinate benzene* toluene, 2 the xylenes? etc., and also to transform carbon disulphide into carbon tetrachloride. 4 5 The chlorine compounds thus obtained are always mixed with a small amount of iodine derivatives formed by catalytic induction. 279. Bromine. This can catalyze chlorinations in the same manner as iodine, particularly in the preparation of carbon tetra- chloride from the disulphide, but its use is less advantageous. 280. Sulphur. The immediate chlorination of sulphur by chlo- rine to several degrees of chlorination makes of it a good chlorinating agent of moderate activity which gives excellent results in some cases. Thus to transform acetic acid into chloracetic, chlorine is 1 MULLER, J. Chem. Soc., 15, 41 (1862) ; Jahresb., 1862, 414 and 1864, 524. JUNGFLEISCH, Ann. Chim. Phys. (4), 15, 186 (1868). 2 BEILSTEIN and GEITNER, Annalen, 139, 334 (1866). LIMPRICHT, Ibid., 139, 326 (1866). HUBNER and MAJERT, Berichte, 6, 790 (1873). 8 WOLLRATH, Zeit. j. Chem., 1866, 488. KRUGER, Berichte, 18, 1755 (1885). KLUGE, Ibid., 18, 2099 (1885). KOCH, Ibid., 23, 2319 (1890). * English patent, 18,890 of 1899. 5 With iodine as a catalyst, the reaction may be stopped at the inter- mediate stage, ClgCSCl, though with iron, carbon tetrachloride is formed at once. (HELFRICH and REID, J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 43, 593 (1921)). E. E. R. 104 105 VARIOUS SUBSTITUTIONS IN MOLECULES 282 passed into the boiling acid containing a small amount of sulphur. In two hours 8 parts of acetic acid are changed to 10 parts chloracetic containing but little acetyl chloride. In the cold, with a little sul- phur or sulphur chloride, only acetyl chloride is obtained. 6 281. Phosphorus. Red phosphorus can be substituted for sul- phur in the preparation of chloracetic acid (280). The presence of phosphorus trichloride greatly facilitates the formation of benzyl chloride from toluene. By passing a current of chlorine into 100 parts of boiling toluene containing 1 part phos- phorus trichloride (as far as possible in the sunlight), 7 80 parts of the desired product are obtained in eight hours. 282. Charcoal. Wood charcoal readily causes the chlorination of hydrogen to hydrochloric acid without explosion. By passing a mixture of equal volumes of carbon monoxide and chlorine through a long tube filled with fragments of charcoal, carbonyl chloride is ob- tained. 8 Animal black gives even better results, a 30 cm. tube being sufficient. 9 10 A charcoal made by calcining blood with potassium carbonate can serve as a catalyst for the chlorination of organic substances between 250 and 400. The progressive and complete chlorination of ethyl chloride can thus be readily obtained. 11 Carbon can likewise serve as a catalyst in the preparation of carbon tetrachloride from carbonyl chloride by a kind of auto-chlori- nation: The carbonyl chloride vapors are passed through a succession of towers filled with coke or animal charcoal. 12 6 AUGER and BEHAL, Bull. Soc. Chim. (3), 2, 145 (1889). RUSSANOF, /. Rus- sian Phys. Chem. Soc., 1891, 1, 222; Berichte, 25, Ref. 334 (1892). 7 If sunlight is used no other catalyst is required. The chlorine reacts as fast as it can be passed in, even at 0. E. E. R. 8 SCHIEL, Jahresb., 1864, 359. 9 PATERNO, Gaz. Chim. ItaL, 8, 233 (1878). 10 Using 10 g. charcoal prepared from ox bones, ATKINSON, HEYCOCK and POPE (/. Chem. Soc., 117, 1410 (1920) ) caused carbon monoxide and chlorine to combine at 40 to 50 as rapidly as the mixture could be passed into the U-tube containing the catalyst. After the preparation of 10 k. of phosgene this catalyst had lost none of its activity. They found the activated charcoal from Army box respirator to be more active still, it being extremely efficient even at 14. Even at 50 this catalyst does not cause the formation of hydrogen chloride in mix- tures of chlorine and carbon monoxide containing hydrogen. E. E. R. 11 DAMOISEAU, Compt. rend., 83, 60 (1876). 12 U. S. patent, 808,100. 283 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 106 283. Metallic Chlorides. Activity is possessed by the chlorides of polyvalent metals which have several degrees of chlorination, such as iron, thallium, molybdenum, antimony, tin, gold, vanadium, uranium, etc., and also by aluminum chloride and to a certain extent by zinc chloride but not by the chlorides of the alkaline or alkaline earth metals or of nickel, cobalt, manganese or lead. 13 Moisture is usually unfavorable to their action. 284. Aluminum Chloride. Anhydrous aluminum chloride, or aluminum turnings, is an excellent chlorination catalyst. 14 It readily realizes the transformation of carbon disulphide into carbon tetra- chloride. 15 The addition of 3% of it to benzene permits the progres- sive introduction of chlorine, going from the monochlor- to hexachlor- benzene. 17 A mixture of equal volumes of chlorine and carbon monoxide passed over fragments of anhydrous aluminum chloride at 30-35, is partially transformed into phosgene. The yield is better when the mixture of the gases is passed into chloroform saturated with alumi- num chloride. 18 285. Ferric Chloride. A little /erne chloride, for which may be substituted iron scale, iron sesquioxide or sulphide, ferrous carbonate, or even iron sulphate, gives good results with the substitution of chlorine in aromatic compounds. By using one part ferric chloride and one of iron powder to 300 parts of benzene, one obtains a yield of 335 parts of monochlor- benzene with 37 parts of poly-chlor-. 19 20 13 WILLGERODT, J. prakt. Chem. (2), 34, 264 (1886) and 35, 391 (1887). 14 SEELIG, Annalen, 237, 178 (1887). 15 GOLDSCHMIDT and LARSEN, Z. physik. Chem., 48, 424 (1904). BORNWATER and HOLLEMAN, Rec. Trav. Chim. Pays-Bos, 31, 221 (1912). 16 MOUNEYRAT, Bull. Soc. Chim. (3), 19, 262 (1898). 17 MOUNEYRAT and POURET, Compt. rend., 127, 1026 (1898); C., 1899 (1), 199. 18 PLOTNIKOV, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 48, 457 (1916). 19 FAHLBERG, LIST & Co., German patent, 219,242. 20 It is usually assumed that the action of ferric chloride depends on the polyvalency of iron, supposing that a part of its chlorine is abstracted by the benzene leaving ferrous chloride which then combines with free chlorine to re- generate the ferric chloride. In order to find whether benzene actually takes chlorine away from ferric chloride the following experiments were tried in my laboratory by H. K. Parker. Ferric chloride was sublimed, as it was formed, into a dry flask which was re- peatedly evacuated to remove free chlorine. To this ferric chloride, 100 g. of benzene was added and kept at 40 for 30 hours, after which water was added. No chlorine was found in the benzene layer. The water layer contained 2.90 g. ferric chloride and 0.36 g. ferrous. Into a similar mixture of ferric chloride and benzene, dry chlorine was passed at 40 for 2 hours and extensive chlorination 107 VARIOUS SUBSTITUTIONS IN MOLECULES 288 It is equally satisfactory for the chlorination of toluene 21 or the xylenes. 22 The use of ferric chloride facilitates the commercial preparation of carbon tetrachloride from carbon disulphide: because it catalyzes the chlorination of the carbon disulphide by the sulphur chloride according to the equation: CS 2 + 2S 2 C1 2 = 6S + CC1 4 . The reaction commences at 60 and is continued at the boiling tem- perature of the mixture. 23 24 286. Molybdenum Chloride. Molybdenum chloride, MoCl 5 , is an excellent catalyst in the aromatic series and, when used to the amount of 0.5%, permits successive stages of chlorination. Its use is of no advantage in the aliphatic series. 25 287. Antimony Chlorides. The chlorides of antimony (which can be replaced by the powdered metal or by the oxide) are frequently employed as carriers in chlorinations. They are more active than iodine and permit the complete chlorination of benzene. 26 They are useful in transforming carbon disulphide into the tetra- chloride. 27 The successive use of iodine and of antimony pentachloride enables us to pass directly from benzyl chloride to hexachlor- and heptachlortoluene. 28 288. Tin Chloride. Stannic chloride (which can be replaced by the metal or the oxide) can also give good effects. 29 Its action, as took place. At the end there was 30 g. benzene still unchlorinated and treat- ment with water showed only 0.04 g. ferrous iron. These experiments show that the reduction of ferric chloride by a large excess of benzene is very slight. It seems to me best to regard the action of ferric chloride as analogous to that of aluminum chloride in this reaction, see note to 157. E. E. R. 21 SEELIG, Annalen, 237, 152 (1887). 22 CLAUS and BURSTBBT, /. prakt. Ghent. (2), 41, 552 (1890). 23 MULLER and DUBOIS, German patent, 72,999. English patent, 19,628 of 1893. 24 With iron as catalyst, it is impossible to stop at the intermediate, C1 3 CSC1. E. E. R. 26 ARONHEIM, Berichte, 8, 1400 (1875). SEEUG, Annalen, 237, 152 (1887). 26 MULLER, Zeit. Chem. Pharm., 1864, 40. 27 HOFMANN, Annalen, 115, 264 (1860). 28 BEILSTEIN and KTJHLBERQ, Annalen, 150, 306 (1869). 29 PETRICOU, Bull. Soc. Chim. (3), 3, 189 (1890). 289 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 108 without doubt is the action of all chlorides used to aid direct chlori- nations, is proportional to its concentration. 30 289. Aluminum Bromide. Its use permits the direct prepara- tion of per chlor ethane j CC1 3 . CC1 3 , starting with acetylene tetrabro- mide, CHBr 2 . CHBr 2 , or with ethylene bromide. 31 Brominations 290. Anhydrous chlorides and bromides are more or less active agents in bromination just as in chlorination. The hydrobromic acid produced in the reaction is the product most readily followed. 32 291. Iodine. Iodine, or rather iodine bromide, which is the im- mediate product, is frequently used and leads especially to the bromination of the aromatic nucleus. 33 292. Manganese. Powdered metallic manganese is an excellent catalyst for the bromination of benzene, toluene, and xylene. With 3 g. of the powdered metal and bromine, 18 g. benzene is completely converted into monobrombenzene in 90 hours in the cold, without the metal suffering any appreciable attack. 34 The slight traces of bro- mide formed on the surface are doubtless sufficient to catalyze the reaction. 293. Aluminum Chloride. A small proportion is sufficient to effect the regular bromination of most organic compounds. Thus 1 g. can cause the bromination of 120 g. benzene. 35 We may put alongside of the brominations catalyzed by aluminum chloride the migration, which it causes, of the bromine of tri- bromphenol to benzene, 36 or toluene, 37 which are thereby trans- formed to brombenzene or m.bromtoluene with the production of phenol. Aluminum bromide causes a regular bromination of toluene. 38 Zinc Chloride and Bromide. Zinc chloride or metallic zinc which is changed to the bromide may be effective. 39 30 GOLDSCHMIDT and LARSEN, Z. physik. Chem., 48, 424 (1904). 31 MOUNEYRAT, BuU. Soc. Chim. (3), 19, 262 (1898). 32 GUSTAVSON, J. prakt. Chem. (2), 62, 281 (1900). 33 RILLIET and ADOR, Berichte, 8, 1287 (1875). JACOBSEN, Ibid., 17, 2372 (1884) and 18, 359 (1885). BRUNER, Chem. Cent., 1900 (2), 257. 34 DUCELLIEZ, GAY, and RAYNAUD, Bull. Soc. Chim. (4), 15, 737 (1914). 35 FITTIG, Annalen, 121, 361 (1862). LEROY, Bull. Soc. Chim. (2), 48, 210 (1887). Roux, Ann. Chem. Phys. (6), 12, 347 (1887). 38 KOHN and MULLER, Monatsh. Chem., 30, 407 (1909). s^ KOHN and BUM, Ibid., 33, 923 (1912). 3 * GUSTAVSON, J. Russian. Phys. Chem. Soc., 9, 286 (1877). 39 SCHIAPARELLI, Gaz. Chim. ltd., 11, 70 (1882), 109 VARIOUS SUBSTITUTIONS IN MOLECULES 296 Ferric Chloride or Bromide. Ferric chloride or finely divided iron (which changes to the bromide) is a good bromination catalyst. 40 CH 2 - CHBr Cyclobutene bromide. , brominates in the presence of CH 2 - CHBr iron powder to tetrabrombutane, the ring being opened. 41 Mercuric Chloride or Bromide. These may be used as bromi- nating agents. 42 Without doubt the simultaneous formation of aluminum and mercuric bromides is the cause of the remarkable activity of aluminum amalgam as a bromination catalyst. 43 Introduction of Iodine 294. The direct introduction of iodine into organic molecules is very difficult but may sometimes be accomplished by the aid of ferric chloride, as is the case with benzene. The yield of iodide thus formed is low. 44 2. ADDITION OF SULPHUR 295. Anhydrous aluminum chloride can cause the addition of sul- phur to benzene at 75-80. Thiophenol, C 6 H 5 . SH, and products derived from it, phenyl sulphide and phenylene sulphide, are thus obtained. 45 296. The direct sulphuration of diphenylamine, by heating the amine with sulphur, requires a temperature of 200 to 265 for 6 to 8 hours: 4e NH( + 2S = H 2 S + S( )NH. \C 6 H 6 \CMS In the presence of iodine the reaction is complete in 10 minutes at 185, giving a quantitative yield of thiodiphenyl-amine instead of 50 to 60%. Thiodinaphthyl amines, etc., are also prepared in good yields. 47 40 SCHENFELEN, Annalen, 231, 164 (1885). 41 WILLSTATTER and BRUCE, Berichte, 40, 3979 (1907). 42 LAZAREW. 43 COHEN and DAKIN, J. Chem. Soc., 75, 893 (1899). 44 LOTHAR MEYER, Annalen, 231, 195 (1885). 48 FRIEDEL and CRAFTS, Bidl. Soc. Chim. (2), 39, 306 (1883). 48 BERNTHSEN, Annalen, 230, 77 (1885). KNOEVENAGEL, J. prakt. Chem. (2), 89, 11 (1914). 297 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 110 3. ADDITION OF SULPHUR DIOXIDE 297. Benzene warmed with aluminum chloride absorbs sulphur dioxide readily giving benzene sulphinic acid, C 6 H 5 . S0 2 H. 48 The reaction is accelerated by the presence of hydrochloric acid and is doubtless due to the formation of an unstable addition product which reacts with the benzene in the presence of the aluminum chloride and hydrochloric acid. 49 \ 4. ADDITION OF CARBON MONOXIDE 298. The direct addition of carbon monoxide to hydrocarbons is an exceptional reaction which can be realized in only a small number of cases. However, the use of aluminum chloride or bromide makes it possible with aromatic hydrocarbons. A mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen chloride is passed for several hours into benzene containing aluminum chloride and 10% cuprous chloride at 40 to 50. It can be assumed that the carbon monoxide dissolves on account of the cuprous chloride and forms formyl chloride, H . CO . Cl, which then reacts as an acid chloride on the benzene in the presence of aluminum chloride (891). We have in the end: C 6 H 6 + CO = C 6 H 5 . CHO. The yield is 90%. 50 Likewise from toluene and aluminum chlo- ride, p.toluic aldehyde, CH 3 . C 6 H 4 . CHO, with a yield of 73% ; 51 o.Xylene gives, by the same method, 1,2 dimethyl-benzaldehyde(). p.Xylene and mesitylene give analogous results. 52 The presence of the cuprous chloride and the hydrogen chloride seem to be superfluous and it is sufficient to cause the carbon mon- oxide under pressures of from 40 to 90 atmospheres to act on the benzene in the presence of aluminum chloride and a little hydrogen chloride. 53 48 FRIEDEL and CRAFTS, Ann. Chim. Phys. (6), 14, 443 (1888). 49 KNOEVENAQEL and KENNER, Berichte, 41, 3315 (1908). ANDRIANOWSKI, Bull Soc. Chim. (2), 31, 199 and 495 (1879). 60 REFORMATSKI, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc. 33, 154 (1901); C., 1901 (1), 1226. 51 GATTERMANN and KOCH, Berichte, 30, 1623 (1897) and GATTERMANN, Ibid., 31, 1149 (1898). English patent, 13,709 of 1897. 62 BAYER AND Co., Chem. Cent., 1898, 932. HARDING and COHEN, J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 23, 594 (1901). 63 English patent, 3,152 of 1915; J. Soc. Chem. Ind., 35, 384 (1916). Ill VARIOUS SUBSTITUTIONS IN MOLECULES 301 5. INTRODUCTION OF METALLIC ATOMS Formation of Alcoholates 299. Aluminum alcoholates are formed by the direct action of aluminum amalgam on alcohols thoroughly freed from water. 5 * But the presence of a catalyst enables them to be prepared directly from aluminum. It is sufficient to add a little mercuric chloride, iodine or even ethyl iodide. Thus ordinary absolute alcohol readily gives aluminum ethylate, A1(OC 2 H 5 ) 3 , a solid melting at 134 which can be isolated by distilling at 15 mm. pressure. 55 Production of Mixed Organo-Magnesium Compounds 300. The production of mixed organo-magnesium compounds from organic halides is equivalent to the addition of the magnesium atom to the organic molecule: /R Mg + RBr = Mg( \Br. This reaction is usually carried out in anhydrous ether which plays the role of catalyst in their formation. It is possible to carry out the reaction in benzene in the presence of a small amount of ether. Without doubt, we have in succession: C 2 H 5 \ /R RBr + (C 2 H 6 ) 2 = )0( C 2 H 5 / \Br and then: C 2 H 5 \ /R /R )0( + Mg = Mg( C 2 H B / \Br \Br The regenerated ether can repeat the first reaction. 301. The ethyl ether as catalyst can be replaced by other ethers, amyl ether, etc., or even by a small quantity of a tertiary amine such as dimethyl aniline, the reaction taking place in benzene, toluene, hexane, or ligroine. In this case the temporary addition product would be: 56 C 6 H 6 \ /R CH 3 -^N' CH 3 / \Br. 54 TISTCHBNKO, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 31, 483 (1899). 65 MEISTER, Lucius and BRUNING, German patent, 286,596; /. Soc. Chem. Ind., 34, 1168 (1915). 66 TSCHELINZEFF, Berichte, 37, 4534 (1904). 302 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 112 302. The formation of organo-magnesium halides is easy with organic bromides or iodides but it is greatly facilitated by the pres- ence of a suitable catalyst, iodine, hydriodic acid or an alkyl iodide such as ethyl iodide. The addition of such catalysts is indispensable for the formation of these derivatives from aliphatic or cycloaliphatic chlorides, but even with this assistance they can not be prepared from aromatic chlorides. According to Zelinski, iodine and magnesium produce in anhydrous ether some of the compound, MgI 2 .2(C 2 H 5 ) 2 0, which he was able to isolate and which would start the reaction. 57 303. A certain number of substances hinder the formation of the organo-magnesium compounds. We may mention anisol, ethyl ace- tate, chloroform, and carbon disidphide which act as negative catalysts (11). 304. For the preparation of mixed organo-zinc compounds, Blaise uses pure ethyl acetate as a catalyst instead of ether and operates in a toluene or petroleum ether solution. Actually one-third of a molecule of ethyl acetate is used for one molecule of the alkyl iodide. 58 67 ZELINSKI, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 35, 399 (1903). 68 BLAISB, Bull Soc. Chim., 1911, Conference, 7. CHAPTER VII HYDRATIONS 305. HYDRATION reactions can be separated into two distinct groups according to whether the water is added without splitting the mole- cule or whether the addition of the water causes the original molecule to break up into two or more new ones. As examples of the first group we have the addition of water to unsaturated hydrocarbons giving alcohols or ketones, or to nitrites and imides. Reactions of the second class are more frequent, such as the saponification of esters, the decomposition of acetals and glucosides, the hydrolysis of amides, oximes, hydrazones, semicarbazones, etc. More or less concentrated mineral acids are very powerful agents for realizing the various hydration reactions, whether in concentrated form, they give rise to unstable temporary addition products which decompose to form the hydration products and to regenerate the acids, or whether they act in dilute solution in consequence of their elec- trolytic dissociation, the chief factors being the hydrogen ions so liberated. Water solutions of the strong bases, either the alkalies or alkaline earths, can often realize hydrations which water alone can usually accomplish but at a much slower rate or a much higher temperature. i. Fixation of Water by Addition 306. Ethyl ene Compounds. Moderately concentrated sulphuric acid enables us to add, in the cold, a molecule of water to isobutylene, (CH 3 ) 2 C:CH 2 , to give frimethylrcarbinol, (CH 3 ) . . COH. 1 2 By adding amylene, little by little, to a mixture of concentrated sulphuric acid and ice, diluting with ice water, washing with soda, and dis- tilling the product, dimethyl-ethyl carbinol is obtained with a yield of 85 to 92% of the amylene. 3 Likewise 3-methylpentene, CH 2 : CH . CH(CH 3 ) . CH 2 . CH 3 , adds water to give the corresponding tertiary alcohol. 1 BUTLEROW, Annalen, 144, 22 (1867). 2 Isopropyl alcohol is now manufactured by absorbing in sulphuric acid the propylene from the gases resulting from the cracking of heavy hydro- carbons.- E. E. R. 3 ADAMS, KAMM, and MARVEL, /. Amer. Chem. Soc., 40, 1950 (1918). .113 307 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 114 With 85% sulphuric acid hexene-l and heptene-3 give the secondary alcohols, accompanied by a certain amount of the sulphuric acid esters, while the 100% acid only polymerizes the hydrocarbons. 4 At 45 sulphuric acid effects the addition of water to iso-oleic acid which is changed to hydroxystearic acid. 5 307. Dilute nitric acid provokes the rapid hydration of pinene, C 10 H 16 , in alcohol solution, at the ordinary temperature to form terpine, C 10 H 20 2 . 6 Hydrochloric acid also can cause the addition of water. By digesting for three hours in the light a mixture of croton aldehyde, CH 3 . CH : CH . CHO, and hydrochloric acid, the aldol, /3-hydroxy- butyric aldehyde, CH 3 .CH(OH) . CH 2 . CHO, is formed. 7 308. Doubly Unsaturated Compounds. Acetylene hydrocarbons and their allenic isomers can add water in the presence of sulphuric acid and other catalysts to give ketones: R.C; C.R' + H 2 = R.CO.CH 2 .R' Rv /R" R\ /R" and )C : C : C( + H 2 = ;CH .CO .CH( R'/ \R'" R'/ \R'" With sulphuric acid, the reaction is carried out by dissolving the hydrocarbon in the cold concentrated acid and pouring this solution immediately on to ice. 8 The mechanism appears to be the formation of an unstable sul- phuric acid derivative which decomposes on contact with water to form an unsaturated alcohol which' immediately isomerizes into the ketone. Thus with ethyl-acetylene, we should have successively: ^CH 2 CH 3 . CH 2 . C i CH + H 2 SO 4 = CH 3 . CH 2 cf \O.S0 3 H CH 3 .CH 2 .C = H 2 S0 4 + CH 3 .CH 2 .C(OH) : CH 2 \O.S0 3 H CH 3 .CH 2 C(OH) :CH 2 = CH 3 .CH 2 .CO.CH 3 . In the case of true acetylene hydrocarbons, the product is a methyl ketone. With disubstituted acetylenes, two isomeric ketones are ob- tained. This is the case with methylamylacetylene. 9 4 BROOKS and HUMPHREY, Ibid., 40, 822 (1918). 6 SAYTZEFF, J. prakt. Chem. (2), 37, 284 (1888). 6 WIGGERS, Annalen, 57, 247 (1846). 7 WURTZ, Bull. Soc. Chim. (2), 42, 286 (1884). * BEHAL, Bull. Soc. Chim. (2), 47, 33 (1887). 9 BEHAL, Ibid. (2), 50, 359 (1888). 115 HYDRATIONS 312 Acetylene should give acetaldehyde, but this condenses with loss of water (795) and crotonic aldehyde is the chief product. 10 309. Water solutions of mercuric salts, the chloride, bromide, and sulphate, cause the same formation of ketones in consequence of the temporary production of combinations of the hydrocarbon and the salt, which are then decomposed by water. Thus allylene, CH 3 .- C i CH, gives acetone, CH 3 . CO . CH 3 . Acetylene behaves normally, yielding acetaldehyde: 1X CH ! CH + H 2 O = CH 3 .CHO. Acetylene is absorbed at 25 to 45 in a solution of mercuric oxide in water containing 45% or, less sulphuric acid, or 25% phosphoric acid. The solution saturated with the gas is warmed to 80 to 100 when acetaldehyde is given off. The solution is then cooled and made to take up more gas and so on. By a number of repetitions the mercuric salt produces 20 times its own weight of acetaldehyde. 12 A stronger solution of sulphuric acid is unfavorable as it would cause the formation of crotonic aldehyde and other condensation products. (See the direct formation of acetic acid (261).) 310. This hydration of acetylene to acetaldehyde can likewise be accomplished by passing the moist gas over zinc, nickel, or ferrous oxides at 300. There is the formation of a certain amount of acetal- dehyde and also of crotonic aldehyde. If the moist acetylene con- tains ammonia, the formation of acetaldehyde is shown by the deposit of crystals of aldehyde ammonia. 13 311. Nitriles. Nitrites dissolved by gentle warming in sulphuric acid diluted with 20% of water, are transformed into amides. The same transformation can be effected also by caustic soda and potash ; but, especially if the operation is carried on in alcohol solution in the neighborhood of 100, the hydration may go so far as to break the amide down into ammonia and the acid, which is at least partially neutralized by the alkali. 312. Imides. It is the same way with imides, succinimide, CH 2 -CO\ /I?H, warmed with a small amount of baryta water, gives CH 2 -CO/ at first amido-succinic acid, H 2 N . CO . CH 2 . CH 2 . C0 2 H, 14 the further hydration of which yields succinic acid. 10 BERTHELOT, Compt. rend., 128, 336 (1899). 11 KUTSCHEROFF, Berichte, 17, 13 (1884). 12 DREYFUS, French patent, 487,411 (1918). 13 CHICHIBABINE, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 47, 703 (1915) ; C. A., 9, 2512 (1915). 14 TEUCHERT, Annalen, 134, 136 (1865). 313 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 116 H 2 N.CH-CO\ Likewise aspartic imide, /NH, heated to 100 with CH 2 -C(X aqueous ammonia, adds a molecule of water to give asparagine, HOOC . CH 2 . CH(NH 2 ) . CONH 2 . 15 Acetaldehyde in water solution causes cyanogen to add two mole- cules of water to form oxamide, H 2 N . CO . CO . NH 2 . 16 II. Hydrations with Decomposition 313. A hydration which results in the decomposition of the mole- cule is usually called hydrolysis. i. HYDROLYSIS IN WATER SOLUTION Hydrolysis of Esters. The hydrolysis of esters is known as saponification. When a water solution of methyl acetate or ethyl acetate is kept in the cold, there is a slow decomposition by water to give the alcohol and free acid: CH 3 . C0 2 . C 2 H 5 + H 2 = CH 3 . C0 2 H + C 2 H 6 . OH The reverse reaction of esterification tends to reform the ester so the decomposition is never complete; the reaction tends to an equi- librium, the more water there is present, the more ester will be de- composed, but this limit is not reached at ordinary temperatures till after some years. In several days, the amount of ester decomposed is only about 1%. On the contrary, if a small amount of hydro- chloric acid, or other strong acid, be added to the mixture, the reaction becomes very rapid, the limit being reached in 24 hours. Furthermore, the acid added is in no way changed. It is entirely precipitated by silver nitrate which shows that it has not formed an appreciable amount of ethyl chloride. Up to a certain limit, the saponifying power of the acid is proportional to its concentration; and for different acids, at the same molecular concentrations, the saponifying power is proportional to the strength of the acid which is measured by its electrolytic dissociation, and consequently this activity is defined by the number of hydrogen ions in a unit volume of the solution. Hydriodic, hydrobromic, nitric and chloric acids, which are strongly ionized, are consequently powerful catalysts, and so is sulphuric acid which is most commonly used for this purpose. 15 KOERNER and MENOZZI, Gaz. Chim. Ital, 17, 173 (1887). 16 LIEBIG, Annalen, 113, 246 (1860). 117 HYDRATIONS 318 314. This action is general and applies equally well to the saponi- fication of fats which are esters of glycerine with the fatty acids. A fat heated with water and 4% sulphuric acid to 120 is completely hydrolyzed in 12 hours, 42% of the fatty acids being liberated in the first hour. To produce a like decomposition with water alone re- quires heating to 220 in an autoclave. 17 315. In very dilute solutions the velocity of saponification is the same with hydrochloric, hydrobromic, hydriodic, nitric, chloric and methyl sulphuric acids of the same acidity and is proportional to the concentration of the acid. It is the same for all the esters of a given organic acid with dif- ferent primary alcohols. 18 316. On the other hand, the velocity changes greatly when the organic acid from which the ester is derived is changed. Thus for ethyl esters the saponification velocity of the formate is 25 times that of the acetate, 50 times that of the isobutyrate, 100 times that of the valerate, and 4,000 tunes that of the benzoate. 317. The presence of neutral metallic salts modifies the velocity, chlorides accelerating the saponification by hydrochloric acid, 19 while sulphates retard the action of sulphuric acid. Pressure may also have an effect ; in the case of the saponification of methyl acetate by hydrochloric acid, pressure increases the velocity. 318. The soluble bases, potassium, sodium, barium, and calcium hydroxides have an analogous effect which, at first sight, would be attributed to the affinity of the base for the acid liberated, were the amount of ester saponified not disproportionate to the amount of base reacting. The real reason for the saponification is again found in the dissociation of the bases in dilute solution into ions. The saponification of fats has given clear evidence on this point. The amount of lime required to saturate all of the fatty acids of a fat is about 9.7%, and in practice might reach 12 to 14%, but experi- ence shows that 1% is sufficient for complete saponification in water at 190 under 12 atmospheres pressure, while 3% produces this result in 8 to 10 hours, at 170 and 8 atmospheres. 20 It appears from the above figures that, in spite of the additional energy liberated by the combination of the bases with the acids, the catalytic activity of the bases is less than that of the strong acids. 17 LEWKOWITSCH, Confer, a la Soc. Chim., 1909, 12. LOWENHERZ, Z. phys. Chem., 15, 395 (1894). i TREY, J. prakt. Chem. (2), 34, 353 (1886), EULER, Z. phys. Chem., 33, 348 (1900). 20 LPWKOWITSCH, loc. cit. f p. 8. 319 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 118 319. For different strong bases, in very dilute solution and at the same concentration, the saponification velocity is independent of the nature of the base, whether it be potassium, sodium, barium or cal- cium hydroxide, but is proportional to the concentration of the base. For esters derived from the same acid, the velocity changes greatly with the alcohol, thus methyl acetate is saponified twice as rapidly by caustic soda in the cold as is isobutyl acetate. 2 * The influence of the nature of the acid is less than it is in saponification by strong acids. Thus when methyl esters are saponified by caustic soda at 14, the velocity for the acetate is about double that for the isobutyrate, six times that for the isovalerate, and quadruple that for the benzoate. In the saponification of ethyl acetate by bases, the presence of neutral salts cuts down the velocity. 21 320. The saponification of chlorine derivatives is not usually pos- sible, but benzal chloride and benzotrichloride are hydrolyzed to benzaldehyde and benzoic acid by water alone when heated under pressure. The saponification of benzal chloride, C 6 H 5 CHC1 2 , by water alone requires a temperature of 140-160. 22 In the factory it is usually effected by means of milk of lime. In the presence of iron powder, the reaction can be carried out at 90-95 . 23 It is the same way with benzotrichloride which is readily trans- formed into benzoic acid in the presence of iron, ferric chloride, oxide or benzoate. 23 321. Ethers. Water alone breaks up ethers into two molecules of the alcohols very slowly. 24 The addition of small quantities of sulphuric acid greatly accelerates the reaction. 25 322. Acetals. Acetals can be regarded as mixed ethers derived from alcohols and the unstable gylcols of which aldehydes and ke- tones are the anhydrides. Their hydrolysis cannot be accomplished by water alone, nor by alkalies, even when hot. On the contrary, it is easily effected by boiling with either dilute hydrochloric acid or with sulphuric acid diluted with four volumes of water, the alde- hyde and the alcohol being set free. 323. Polysaccharides. Polyoses and polysaccharides such as sucrose, lactose, maltose, trehalose and even starch, dextrine and 21 ARRHENIUS, Z. phys. Chem., i, 110 (1887). 22 LIMPRICHT, Annalen, 139, 319 (1866). 23 SCHULTZE, German patent, 82,927. 24 LIEBEN, Annalen, 165, 136 (1873). 25 ERLENMEYER, Zeit. j. Chemie, 4, 343 (1868) 119 HYDRATIONS 326 cellulose can be regarded as ethers or acetals involving the many alcohol groups and the aldehyde or ketone groups of the simple hexoses. Their hydrolysis into the simple sugars can be realized more or less readily by the aid of small quantities of acids as catalysts. 324. The inversion of cane sugar, that is, its complete hydrolysis into glucose and fructose, can be brought about by traces of mineral acids and is, perhaps, the earliest catalytic reaction to be observed. 26 Hydrochloric, sulphuric, or even oxalic acid can be used and the velocity of the hydrolysis is proportional to the concentration of the hydrogen ions resulting from the electrolytic dissociation of the acid. Concentrated sugar solutions are rapidly inverted by traces of acid. A solution containing 80 g. sugar to 20 g. water, with the addition of 0.004 g. hydrochloric acid, is completely inverted by boiling for an hour. 27 Even carbonic acid can cause this reaction, slowly in the cold, rapidly when heated. A sugar solution saturated with carbon dioxide and heated for an hour in a sealed tube is completely in- verted. 28 The velocity of the inversion of sugar by strong acids is increased by the addition of neutral salts. 29 When the reaction is carried on in alcohol solution, the velocity varies considerably with the proportion and nature of the solvent. 30 Increase in the concentration of the sugar increases the velocity. 31 High pressure diminishes the velocity of inversion by hydrochloric acid, the diminution being about 1% for 100 atmospheres. 32 325. The hydrolysis of maltose is slower than that of cane sugar, requiring at least three hours of boiling with 3% sulphuric acid. 33 Trehalose is slowly hydrolyzed into glucose by warming with dilute sulphuric acid. 3 * 326. Sulphuric acid diluted with 33 parts of water is used in the commercial preparation of glucose by the hydrolysis of starch at 100 for three hours. The addition of a little nitric acid to the sul- 26 CLEMENT and DESORMES, Ann. Chim. Phys., 59, 329 (1806). 27 WOHL, Berichte, 23, 2086 (1890). 28 LIPPMANN, Berichte, 13, 1823 (1880). 29 SPOHR, Z. physik. Chem., 2, 194 (1888). ARRHENIUS, Ibid., 4, 226 (1889). EULER, Ibid., 32, 348 (1900). so BURROWS, J. Chem. Soc., 105, 1260 (1914). 31 ROSANOFF and POTTER, J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 35, 248 (1913). 32 RONTGEN, Wiedermann's Annalen (3), 45, 98 (1892). ROTHMUND, Z. physik. Chem., 20, 170 (1896). 33 MEISSL, J. prakt. Chem. (2), 25, 120 (1882). 34 MUNTZ, Jahresber., 1873, 829. BERTHHLOT, Ann. Chim. Phys. (3), 55, 272 (1859). 327 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 120 phuric acid seems to shorten the time required. There is an inter- mediate formation of dextrine which is, in turn, hydrolyzed by the dilute acid. 327. Glucosides. The various substances designated by this name are numerous among vegetable products and have a constitution anal- ogous to that of the polysaccharides. Their hydrolysis by pure water can usually be accomplished only by heating to high tempera- tures in sealed tubes, but by boiling with dilute mineral acids, they are decomposed into a sugar (usually glucose) and one or more sub- stances of various kinds. The action of acids is comparable to that of soluble ferments, such as emulsine, but is more rapid and more drastic, the product of hy- drolysis being sometimes altered by the peculiar action of the acid. 328. Thus arbutine when boiled with dilute sulphuric acid is hydrolyzed into 1 molecule of glucose and 1 molecule of hydro- quinone, 35 which is identical with the results obtained by long con- tact with emulsine in the cold. Helicine is hydrolyzed by dilute acids into glucose and salicylic aldehyde* 6 and quercitrine into isodulcite and quercitine (tetrahy- droxyflavanol. 37 The ruberythric acid of madder root gives alizarine and 2 mole- cules of glucose when boiled with dilute acids. 38 329. Salicine heated to 80 with 10 parts of fuming hydrochloric acid (d. 1.25), gives 2 molecules of glucose 39 and saliretine, 0(C 6 H 4 .CH 2 .OH) 2 , while the action of emulsine in the cold or boiling with dilute acid leads to saligenine, o.HO . C 6 H 4 . CH 2 OH. 40 Amygdaline is decomposed by boiling with dilute hydrochloric or sulphuric acid, just as it is in the cold by emulsine, into benzalde- hyde, hydrocyanic acid, and 2 molecules of glucose: C^H^NOn + 2H 2 = C 6 H 5 . CHO + HCN + 2C 6 H 12 6 . But when acids are used the hydrocyanic acid formed is rapidly hydrolyzed into formic acid and ammonia. 41 Conijerine is split by emulsine into glucose and contferyl alcohol, but when the hydrolysis is carried out by boiling with dilute acids, the alcohol is resinified. 42 35 KAWALEHR, Annalen, 84, 356 (1852). as PIRIA, Annalen, 56, 64 (1845). 37 RIGAUD, Annalen, 90, 289 (1856). 38 GRAEBB and LIEBERMANN, Annalen, SupL, 7, 296 (1870). 39 KRAUT, Annalen, 156, 124 (1870). 40 PIRIA, Annalen, 56, 37 (1845). 41 LUDWIG, Jahresber., 1855, 699 and 1856, 679, Arch. Pharm. (2), 87, 273. 42 TIEMANN and HAARMANN, Berichte, 7, 611 (1874). 121 HYDRATIONS 334 330. The dilute acids can be replaced by dilute soluble bases such as sodium, potassium and barium hydroxides or even by a solution of zinc chloride (for example with helleborine) , 43 331. Acidamides and Analogous Compounds. The derivatives formed by the loss of a molecule of water between an organic acid and ammonia, an amine, hydroxylamine, hydrazine, phenylhydrazine or semicarbazid can be more or less readily hydrolyzed into the mole- cules from which they were derived. This hydrolysis can be accom- plished by mineral acids which combine with the ammonia or other base or by aqueous alkalies which unite with the organic acid. Amides which can be hydrolyzed by boiling with pure water are much more rapidly hydrolyzed by heating with dilute mineral acids or with dilute alkalies. 332. The hydrolysis of oximes takes place on contact with hot concentrated hydrochloric acid, which combines with the hydroxyl- amine that is liberated along with the aldehyde or ketone. Phenylhydrazones are hydrolyzed in the cold with concentrated hydrochloric acid which combines with the phenylhydrazine. ^N N CH 3 . CH 2 . CH 2 . C0 2 . C 2 H S . ethyl butyrate 2. A breaking up of the molecule into the fragments CH 3 . CO .- CH 2 - and -CO 2 . C 2 H 5 which are hydrogenated separately, the first into acetone and then isopropyl alcohol (435), the second into ethyl formate which is decomposed, under the reaction conditions, into ethyl alcohol and carbon monoxide which may go into methane (867) . 3. A condensation of the molecule with the formation of solid dehydroacetic acid, (CH 2 .C0) 4 , which is produced by the action of heat alone on ethyl acetoacetate, 44 and which the presence of the nickel, without the hydrogen, causes to be formed at 250: 2 CH 3 . CO . CH 2 . C0 2 . C 2 H 6 = (CH 2 CO) 4 + 2C 2 H 6 . OH. 388. Aromatic Aldehydes. Contrary to what takes place with aliphatic aldehydes, the hydrogenation of aromatic aldehydes over nickel does not reduce them to alcohols, but tends to replace the oxy- gen by hydrogen, H 2 , to give the aromatic hydrocarbons, which below 250 may be more or less hydrogenated to the cyclohexane hydro- carbons. There is, at the same tune, some decomposition of the alde- hyde into the hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide (618). Thus between 210 and 235, benzaldehyde gives toluene and benzene according to the two reactions: C 6 H 5 . CHO + 2H 2 = H 2 + C 6 H 5 . CH 3 C 6 H 5 . CHO = CO + C 6 H 6 , 40 MAILHE and MURAT, Bull. Soc. Chim. (4), 9, 464 (1911). 41 ALOY and BRUSTIER, Butt. Soc. Chim. (4), 9, 734 (1911). 42 MAILHE, Bull. Soc. Chim. (3), 35, 614 (1906). 43 SABATIER and MAILHE, Bull. Soc. Chim. (4), 3, 232 (1908). 44 GEUTHER, Zeit. /. Chem., 2, 8 (1866). 389 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 142 and these are accompanied by certain proportions of methylcyclo- hexane and cydohexane, the carbon monoxide being partly reduced to methane (393) . 45 389. Aromatic Ketones. The hydrogenation of aryl-aliphatic ketones, effected rapidly over a nickel of only moderate activity or at a temperature above 250, is limited to replacing the ketone oxygen by H 2 with the production of the corresponding aromatic hydrocarbon. Thus acetophenone, C 6 H 5 . CO . CH 3 , gives ethyl- benzene, C 6 H 5 .C 2 H 5 ; methyl-p.cresyl ketone, CH 3 . C 6 H 4 . CO .- CH 3 , yields p. methyl-methyl benzene; p.tert-butyl-acetophenone, (CH 3 ) 3 C . C 6 H 4 . CO . CH 3 , gives p.ethyl-tert-butyl-benzene; and benzyl-acetone, C 6 H 5 . CH 2 . CH 2 . CO . CH 3 , yields butyl-benzene* 6 But when the hydrogenation is carried on at 180, with an active nickel which is capable of hydrogenating the nucleus, the aromatic hydrocarbon is reduced to the cyclohexane derivative. One can be sure of avoiding this complication if nickel is used that has been so altered that it can not hydrogenate benzene or if the operation is carried on about 300, the temperature at which cyclohexane deriva- tives are dehydrogenated even in excess of hydrogen. 47 It is the same way with diaryl ketones which are quantitatively reduced to the corresponding hydrocarbons by nickel at 300. Thus benzophenone at 300 is entirely reduced to diphenylmethane, while with an active nickel at 160, dicyclohexylmethane is formed. Desoxybenzo'ine, C 6 H 5 . CH 2 . CO . C 6 H 5 , yields dibenzyl, C 6 H 5 .- CH 2 . CH 2 . C 6 H 5 , at 350. Likewise dibenzyl ketone, C 6 H 5 . CH 2 .- CO . CH 2 . C 6 H 5 , is 70% transformed at 400 into symmetrical diphenylpropane, which is accompanied by toluene formed by the breaking up of the molecule with the separation of carbon monoxide which is reduced to methane. The same hydrocarbon is formed by the hydrogenation over nickel at 350 of phenyl-phenylethyl ketone, C 6 H 5 . CO . CH 2 . CH 2 . C 6 H 5 . 48 390. Likewise methyl-a-naphthyl-ketone yields a-ethylnaphtha- lene, and methyl-ff -naphthyl and the propyl-naphthyl ketones behave in a similar manner. 49 Hexahydroanthrone is hydrogenated at 200 into octohydroanthra- cene: 50 45 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Compt. rend., 137, 301 (1903). 6 DARZENS, Compt. rend., 139, 868 (1904). 47 SABATIER and MURAT, Ann. Chim. (9), 4, 263 (1915). 48 SABATIER and MURAT, Ann. Chim. (9), 4, 264 (1915). 49 DARZENS and ROST, Compt. rend., 146, 933 (1908). 60 GODCHOT, Bull. Soc. Chim. (4), i, 712 (1907). 143 HYDROGENATIONS 392 nk /e4 \CO / Likewise methyl(l)cyclopentanone(3) is advantageously trans- formed at 250 into methy Icy clop entane. 51 Dihydrocamphorone, CH 3 . CH; )CH . CH(CH 3 ) 2 , is hy- \CH 2 .CH 2 / drogenated at 180 to form methyl-isopropyl-cyclopentane, boiling at 391. Aromatic Diketones. Similarly to the monoketones, the aromatic diketones, when hydrogenated over nickel, give the hydro- carbons. 53 Dibenzoyl, C 6 H 5 . CO . CO . C 6 H 5 , which is an a diketone, is hydro- genated over nickel at 220 to symmetrical diphenylethane, or di- benzyl, C 6 H 5 . CH 2 . CH 2 . C 6 H 5 , beautiful crystal flakes, without appreciable secondary reactions. Benzo'ine, C 6 H 5 . CH(OH) . CO . C 6 H 5 , gives the same hydro- carbon as the sole product at 210-220. Benzoyl-acetone, C 6 H 5 . CO . CH 2 . CO . CH 3 , which is a ft dike- tone, when hydrogenated over nickel at 200, reacts in two ways: 1. Butylbenzene is formed to an extent of about 80%. 2. Following a general tendency of ft diketones, there is a break- ing up into two fragments, C 6 H 5 . CO- and -CH 2 . CO . CH 3 , which are hydrogenated separately, the one into toluene and the other into acetone, and then into isopropyl alcohol. 392. Anhydrides of Dibasic Acids. The anhydrides of dibasic acids which have been submitted to hydrogenation at low tempera- tures, have given only the corresponding lactones. Succinic anhydride gave butyrolactone : 54 CH 2 .CO\ CH 2 .CH 2 v )0 -> - v . CH 2 .CO/ CH 2 .CO/ Over nickel at 200, phthalic anhydride yields phthalid quantita- tively: /OO\ /Oxl2\ C 6 H 4 ( )0 -> C 6 H/ )0. \co/ \co / 51 ZELINSKY, Berichte, 44, 2781 (1911). 52 GODCHOT and TABOURY, Compt. rend., 156, 470 (1913). 53 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 145, 1126 (1907). 5 * EIJKMANN, Chem. Weekblad, 4, 191 (1907). 393 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 144 Even by operating at 130 with very active nickel it is impossible to replace the second carbonyl. 55 In the same manner camphoric anhydride is changed into campho- lid exclusively: 54 393. Carbon Monoxide. The direct hydrogenation of carbon monoxide over nickel gives a simple method for the synthesis of methane: CO 3H = H0 2 The reaction commences around 180-200 and goes on rapidly without complications at 230-250. With the theoretical mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, 3:1, the reaction is practically com- plete, the resulting gas being nearly pure methane. The nickel is not sensibly altered by the reaction when it is car- ried on below 250 and can be used indefinitely. On cooling it is found to be slightly carbonized but still pyrophoric and completely soluble in dilute hydrochloric acid without carbonaceous residue. The reaction is less complete when the carbon monoxide is in ex- cess; in an experiment carried out with 85 volumes of carbon mon- oxide to 51 volumes of hydrogen, almost one third of the hydrogen passed through the tube without combining, although the velocity of the gas was no greater than in the experiment quoted above. 394. If the operation is carried on above 250, complications arise due to the special effect that finely divided nickel has on carbon mon- oxide which it breaks up into carbon and carbon dioxide (614) : 2CO = C + C0 2 . The carbon dioxide which is thus formed is partially hydrogenated. Its proportion is greater, the higher the temperature, since the secondary reaction which produces it is greatly accelerated by rise of temperature. Thus when operating at 380 with the theoretical mixture which gives methane completely at 250, a gas is obtained which contains: Carbon dioxide .................. 10.5% by vol. Methane ........................ 67.9 Hydrogen ....................... 21.6 54 EIJKMANN, Chem. Weekblad, 4, 191 (1907). 55 GODCHOT, Bull, Soc. Chim. (4), i, 243 (1907). 145 HYDROGENATIONS 397 At the same temperature, water gas, equal volumes of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, gives 52.6% carbon dioxide, 39.8% methane, and 1% hydrogen. When the percentage of carbon monoxide is still further increased, the hydrogenation is greatly weakened; much hydrogen passes through and the proportion of carbon dioxide becomes very large. 56 395. Carbon Dioxide. Like the monoxide, carbon dioxide is readily hydrogenated over nickel to form methane: C0 2 + 4H 2 = CH 4 + 2H 2 0. The reaction begins at a higher temperature than that with car- bon monoxide, namely, around 230, and is rapid above 300 and does not offer any considerable complications up to 400. The theory calls for four volumes of hydrogen to one of carbon dioxide. With gas mixtures containing a larger proportion of hydrogen, the carbon dioxide disappears almost completely. Thus in an experiment with 82% of hydrogen and 18% carbon dioxide, passed through the tube containing the nickel at the rate of 55 cc. per minute, the issuing gas contained: With the nickel at 258 17.2% by vol. carbon dioxide 1 283 0.5% " " 396. Carried on at 300 with an excess of hydrogen, this reaction gives a very advantageous method for preparing pure methane if liquid air is available for condensing the methane. The gas is washed with caustic potash to free it from traces of carbon dioxide, dried and the methane condensed, leaving the hydrogen as gas. 57 397. Application to the Manufacture of Illuminating Gas. The production of methane by the direct hydrogenation of carbon dioxide over nickel can be used for the commercial preparation of a gas rich in methane having a high calorific power and capable of being used either for heating or for lighting by using incandescent mantles. 58 If hydrogen is available (produced electrolytically or by the action of iron on steam at a red heat) , the hydrogenation of carbon dioxide over nickel at 300 to 400 is an excellent way to prepare methane. 59 But the preparation of the hydrogen costs too much for it to be used for the manufacture of illuminating gas. One must start with 66 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Compt. rend., 134, 514 (1902). 67 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Compt. rend., 134, 689 (1902). 88 SABATIER, VI Internal. Cong. Pure and App. Chem., Rome, 1906, IV sect, p. 188. 89 SABATIER, French patent, 356,471, June 17, 1905. 398 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 146 a cheap commercial gas such as water gas, Riche gas, Siemens gas, etc. Various methods may be followed. 398. First method. Water gas obtained by the action of steam on red-hot carbon varies in composition according to the temperature at which it is prepared. At a bright red, there are equal volumes of hydrogen and carbon monoxide: C + H 2 = CO + H 2 . At a lower temperature (a very dull red) there are only carbon dioxide and hydrogen: C + 2H 2 = C0 2 + 2H 2 . If the temperature is intermediate (cherry red), the reaction is intermediate: 2C + 2H 2 = CO + C0 2 + 3H 2 . If in this case the carbon dioxide be removed by any method there remains the mixture CO + 3H 2 . The carbon dioxide may be ab- sorbed by a solution of potassium carbonate which is changed to the bicarbonate, but is regenerated with evolution of carbon dioxide by boiling. The carbon dioxide may be solidified by refrigeration or absorbed in cold water under pressure. The residual mixture, CO + 3H 2 , is converted into pure methane by passing over nickel at 230-250, 5 volumes of water gas thus furnishing 1 volume of methane. A practical difficulty arises from the fact that the catalyst must be kept between 230 and 250, since above 250 there is char- ring with loss of carbon and fouling of the nickel resulting in a rapid diminution of its catalytic power. 399. Second Method. The operation is carried on in two phases: Water gas prepared at a high temperature and very nearly CO + H 2 is passed over nickel at 400 to 500, by which all the carbon monoxide disappears forming either methane with the available hy- drogen, or splitting up into carbon dioxide (614) and finely divided carbon which is deposited on the nickel. If from the gas so produced, the carbon dioxide is absorbed, the remainder is very rich in methane. For the conditions cited above (394), the composition would be 83.8% methane and 15% hydrogen with a calorific power of 7,800 calories per cu. m., while the original gas had only 2,880. This is the gas of the first phase. If steam be passed over the intimate mixture of carbon and nickel obtained above, kept at 400 to 500, the carbon reacts rapidly tend- ing to give hydrogen and carbon dioxide which being in the nascent 147 HYDROGENATIONS 401 state react to give a certain proportion of methane. The final product is a mixture of hydrogen, methane and carbon dioxide and if the car- bon dioxide is eliminated, there remains a mixture of hydrogen and methane of high calorific power which can be used. This is the gas of the second phase, less rich in methane than the first. Its formation has eliminated the carbon from the nickel which is then ready to repeat the first phase of the reaction. 60 400. Third Method. The gas of the second phase can be obtained alone by preparing at first the intimate mixture of nickel and carbon by the action of finely divided nickel on various gases rich in carbon monoxide such as Siemens gas or producer gas. The carbon mon- oxide disappears leaving carbon dioxide and carbon. It is sufficient to maintain this carbonaceous mass at 400 to 500 and pass super- heated steam over it to have a mixture of methane, hydrogen and carbon dioxide which can be used after the latter is eliminated. 61 401. Fourth Method. The two phases of the reaction that have just been described can be combined in practice. All that is required is to maintain finely divided nickel at 400 to 500 and pass over it a mixture of suitable proportions of water gas (or Riche gas 62 ) and superheated steam. Under these conditions the carbon monoxide dis- appears and is replaced by hydrogen, methane and carbon dioxide, and if the latter is eliminated, we have in one operation a usable mixture of hydrogen and methane. This method of operating appears economical. The amount of nickel required for the reaction is less than 1 k. for making 1 cu. m. of gas per hour. Besides, if the carbonated gases introduced are suit- ably purified and if this purification is completed by passing over copper turnings heated to 600, the nickel may be said to retain its catalytic power indefinitely. By starting with water gas a gas is obtained having an average composition of 48% methane and 52% hydrogen and having a calorific power of 5,800 calories per cu. m. This gas does not contain an appreciable amount of carbon monoxide which is present in coal gas in considerable amount (from 8 to 15%) and which renders it decidedly toxic. In fact the reactions that take place with these conditions under the influence of nickel between water gas and steam can be summed up in this equation: 5 (CO + H 2 ) + H 2 = 2CH 4 + 2H 2 + 3C0 2 . water gas 60 SABATIER, French patent, 355,900, July 5, 1905. 61 SABATIER, French patent, 355,900, 1905. 62 The Riche gas is a mixture of carbon monoxide, hydrogen, methane and carbon dioxide prepared by heating woody or cellulose materials. 402 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 148 Theoretically 5 volumes of perfect water gas should give 2 volumes of the mixture containing 50% methane. In practice, as the water gas contains some carbon dioxide, about 3 volumes are required on the average for 1 volume of the finished gas. 402. The use of industrial refrigeration permits a very advan- tageous modification of the first process (398) . The water gas should be prepared at the highest possible temperature so as to contain CO + H 2 and a little carbon dioxide and nitrogen. By suitable re- frigeration 75% of the carbon monoxide can be liquefied and a mix- ture of CO + 4H 2 obtained which passing over nickel at 200 to 250 would furnish exactly the gas CH 4 + H 2 equivalent to coal gas. The refrigeration condenses all of the substances that may be toxic to the nickel (sulphurous gases, etc.) and hence guarantees the long life of the catalyst. The carbon monoxide separated by the liquefaction may be used for heating the catalyzers or for driving motors. 63 403. Aromatic Halogen Derivatives. The direct reduction of aromatic halogen derivatives by hydrogen in the presence of nickel may take place more or less readily: it is easy with chlorine deriva- tives, less easy for bromine derivatives, and difficult for iodine com- pounds ; the reason being easy to find in the decreasing affinity of the halogens for hydrogen as we pass from chlorine to iodine, since the simultaneous formation of the hydro-acid determines the substitution of hydrogen. When the vapors of chlorbenzene are carried by hydrogen over reduced nickel at 160, a strong absorption of hydrogen is noted at once and a little cyclohexane is condensed without any chlorcyclo- hexane. The chlorine remains, fixed by the nickel, the surface of which loses all activity by being changed to the chloride. After a short time the chlorbenzene passes through unchanged. But if the temperature is raised above 270 a vigorous evolution of hydrochloric acid is observed and a readily separated mixture of benzene and chlorbenzene is condensed. At the same time there is the formation of crystals of diphenyl. In contact with nickel at 270 or above, chlorbenzene gives nickel chloride, and the liberated residue, C 6 H 5 -, combines with hydrogen to give benzene and unites with itself to form a small amount of diphenyl. But at this temperature the nickel chloride is reduced by hydrogen forming hydrochloric acid and regenerating the nickel which repeats the reaction indefinitely. 404. An analogous reduction is observed when the polychlor- 68 SABATIER, Second Congress on Refrigeration, i, 115 (1912). 149 HYDROGENATIONS 406 derivatives of benzene are acted on by hydrogen in the presence of nickel above 270; the chlorine atoms are progressively replaced by hydrogen. Thus m.dichlorbenzene gives a mixture containing: Benzene 30% Monochlorbenzene 60% Unchanged dichlorbenzene 10% p.Dichlorbenzene gives 35% benzene and 65% monochlorbenzene. Perchlorbenzene, C 6 C1 6 , acts in the same way at 270 and gives a mixture of the trichlorbenzenes (particularly the 1,2,4), dichlor- benzenes, monochlorbenzene, and benzene. The presence of aliphatic side-chains and hydroxyl groups facili- tates the reduction, the chlortoluenes being more readily reduced than chlorbenzene. 24,6-Trichlorphenol is readily reduced at 270 and gives 70% of phenol accompanied by monochlorphenols, particularly the ortho. The reduction goes even better with amino derivatives, such as the chloranilines which give aniline hydrochloride at 270. The chlornitrobenzenes suffer simultaneous reduction of the nitro group and elimination of the chlorine, furnishing aniline hydrochloride at 270 . 64 405. It can be foreseen that the reduction of bromine derivatives will be more difficult, since the temporary nickel bromide is less easily reduced by hydrogen. However, the reaction can be carried out well with monobrombenzene at 270 and also with p.bromtoluene, the bromanilines and the bromnitrobenzenes. 2,4,S-Tribromphenol readily yields phenol accompanied by p.bromphenol and 2 } 4^dibromphenol. 406. The difficulties are greater for the iodine derivatives. lodo- benzene passed over nickel with hydrogen at 270 gives no lasting evolution of hydriodic acid; some benzene and diphenyl are formed, but the reaction stops, since the nickel is not restored by the hydrogen and does not continue the reaction. If pure hydrogen is passed into the tube, fumes of hydriodic acid appear, hence nickel iodide is reduced by hydrogen at 270 but not in the presence of iodobenzene, doubtless because this compound gives iodine to the nickel faster than the hydrogen can remove it. Practically, the reduction of iodobenzene can be forced by alternately passing pure hydrogen and hydrogen mixed with iodobenzene vapors 64 SABATIEB and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 138, 245 (1904). 407 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 150 over the nickel at 270. But under these conditions the metal is not a true catalyst. 65 407. Esters of Halogenated Aliphatic Acids. Vapors of ethyl mono-, di-, and tri-Mor acetates, when passed over nickel at 300, with excess of hydrogen, are reduced to ethyl acetate, the chlorine atoms being successively replaced by hydrogen. Ethyl bromacetate is as readily reduced to ethyl acetate. 66 65 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 138, 245 (1904). 66 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 169, 758 (1919). CHAPTER IX HYDROGENATIONS (Continued) HYDROGEN ATIONS IN THE GAS PHASE USE OF NICKEL (Continued) ADDITION OF HYDROGEN 408. MANY hydrogenations correspond to the fixation of hydrogen by addition. This addition takes place either to free carbon, whicji is rare, or to complex molecules containing double or triple bonds between the atoms. We will examine these in the following order: 1. Direct fixation by carbon, 2. On double bond between two carbon atoms, so-called ethylene bond, C : C, 3. On triple bond between two carbon atoms, called the acetylene bond, C : C, 4. Triple bond between carbon and nitrogen, C i N, 5. Quadruple bond between carbon and nitrogen, C j N, 6. Double bond between carbon and an oxygen atom, C : 0, 7. Aromatic nucleus, 8. Various rings, 9. Carbon disulphide. i. Direct Fixation of Hydrogen by Carbon 409. Berthelot noted 1 the direct union of hydrogen and carbon at the temperature of the electric arc * to form acetylene which was necessarily accompanied by some methane and ethane resulting from the pyrogenetic decomposition of the acetylene. Bone and Jerdan state that carbon unites directly with hydrogen at 1200 forming 1 to 2% methane. 2 But Berthelot, carrying out the reaction with pure carbon in a quartz tube, could not confirm the formation of methane and con- cluded that it must have come from impurities in the carbon used by the English chemists. 3 1 BERTHELOT, Ann. Chim. Phys. (4), 13, 143 (1868). 2 BONE and JERDAN, J. Chem. Soc., 71, 42 (1897). 8 BEBTHELOT, Ann. Chim. Phys (8), 6, 183 (1905). 151 410 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 152 410. According to Henseling, the formation of methane by carbon and hydrogen begins at 300 in the presence of finely divided nickel. Sabatier and Senderens, by passing hydrogen at 250 over the intimate mixture of carbon and nickel which is formed by the action of reduced nickel on carbon monoxide between 250 and 300, have definitely proved the production of methane, but also detected water vapor. After some time the formation of methane ceased though there was still much carbon with the metal. They attributed the formation of methane and water to the presence of a nickel carbonyl combination formed by the action of the carbon monoxide. The same chemists found no methane when the carbonaceous mixture had been prepared above 400, a temperature at which carbonyl com- pounds can not exist.* 411. Mayer and Altmayer have confirmed the very slow formation of methane from carbon in contact with nickel or cobalt. At all tem- peratures above 250 methane is decomposed by nickel into carbon and hydrogen, the amount remaining being fixed for each tempera- ture, and the same whether the limit be approached from above or from below as is true with all reversible reactions (19), and not al- tered when cobalt is substituted for nickel. The amounts of methane at equilibrium are: At 250 98.8% by volume 536 51.2% 625 24.7% 850 1.6% But this formation is very slow and could never be used for the preparation of methane. The velocities of the mixtures of gases passed over the mixture of carbon and nickel to obtain the equilibrium were not over 0.2 to 0.3 cc. per minute. 6 2. Ethylene Double Bond 412. The ethylene double bond is very easily attacked by direct hydrogenation over nickel and adds two atoms of hydrogen. This is readily accomplished by nickel reduced above 500 and even by nickel which has been weakened by the action of poisons. 413. Hydrocarbons. Ethylene is hydrogenated by nickel from 30 up, the reaction which continues indefinitely, with evolution of heat, gives ethane exclusively. The hydrogenation is more rapid toward 130-150. 6 4 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Bull Soc. Chim. (4), i, 107 (1907). 6 MAYER and ALTMAYER, Berichte, 40, 2134 (1907). 6 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Compt. rend., 124, 1359 (1897). 153 HYDROGENATIONS IN THE GAS PHASE 414 In the presence of excess of hydrogen, all the ethylene disappears, while with excess of ethylene all the hydrogen is used up and a mix- ture of ethane and ethylene is obtained from which it is easy to re- move the latter by bromine water leaving the ethane pure. This reaction has been used for the manufacture of ethane for refrigerating machines. The mixture of equal volumes of ethylene and hydrogen is passed through tubes 1 m. long and 7.5 cm. in diam- eter containing reduced nickel and heated to 200. With a velocity of 2 cu. m. per hour a gas containing 80% of ethane is obtained. In order to complete the union of hydrogen and ethylene the mixture is compressed to 30 or 40 atmospheres in a vessel filled with nickeled pumice. 7 Above 300 nickel decomposes ethylene (912) with the liberation of carbon, and the production of methane and certain amounts of higher paraffines which can be liquefied. 6 414. Other ethylene hydrocarbons can be transformed into the corresponding saturated hydrocarbons below 160 without any com- plications. But above 200 and particularly above 300 there can be partial breaking of the carbon chain with the formation of saturated hydrocarbons with smaller numbers of carbon atoms and also more complicated. With propylene, CH 3 .CH:CH 2 , the reaction commences in the cold and up to 200 nothing but propane, CH 3 . CH 2 . CH 3 , is produced so long as the hydrogen is in slight excess. When the propylene is in excess, particularly above 290, small amounts of higher liquid hydro- carbons with petroleum odors are formed, and at higher temperatures there is more and more deposition of carbon with splitting up of the propane. Trimethyl-ethylene, or 2-methyl-butylene, (CH 3 ) 2 C : CH . CH 3 , is totally hydrogenated by excess of hydrogen into pure 2-methyl- butane or isopentane, at 150. Likewise hexene(2) gives hexane; and caprylene, or octene(l), octane without complications below 160. 8 By the hydrogenation of 2,2-dimethyl-methylene(3)-pentane, over nickel at 160, 2,2,3-trimethyl-pentane, boiling at 110.5 is obtained, and likewise 2 ^-dimethyl-heptane, boiling at 135 from 2-ethyl- 5-methyl-hexene* 6 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Compt. Rend., 124, 1359 (1897). 7 SPRENT, /. Soc. Chem. Ind., 32, 171 (1913). 8 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Compt. rend., 134, 1127 (1902). 9 CLARK and JONES, /. Amer. Chem. Soc., 34, 170 (1912). CLARK and BEGGS, Ibid., 34, 54 (1912). 415 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 154 Likewise nonene(2) is transformed entirely into nonane. Methyl-propyl-octene gives the corresponding methyl-propyl- octane, and 4;-cyclohexyl-heptene, the k-cyclohexyl-heptane.^ 415. In the case of phenyl- or polyphenyl-ethylene hydrocarbons, when the hydrogenation is carried out with a weakened nickel such as is not capable of hydrogenating benzene (56) , or with active nickel at 300, the aliphatic double bonds are saturated without hydrogenat- ing the aromatic nuclei. Thus styrene, C 6 H 5 . CH : CH 2 , gives only ethyl-benzene, C 6 H 5 . CH 2 CH 3 . The ortho, meta, and para, cresyl-propenes (2) are regularly changed into the ortho, meta, and para cymenes?- 2 l-Phenyl-2-propyl-pentene yields l-phenyl-2-propyl-pentane ." Stilbene, or symmetrical diphenyl ethylene, C 6 H 5 .CH:CH.C 6 H 5 , is readily transformed by a slightly active nickel at 240 into dibenzyl, C 6 H 5 .CH 2 .CH 2 .C 6 H 5 . Likewise aa-Diphenyl-ethylene is readily changed to aa-diphenyl-ethane, l,2-diphenyl-propene(l) and 1,1- diphenyl-propene(2) furnish the corresponding diphenyl-propanes and similar statements hold for the diphenyl-butenes and diphenyl- pentenes. Ocimene, (CH 3 ) 2 C:CH.CH 2 .CH:C.CH:CH 2 , or 2fi- )CH.CH 2 .CH 3 . 88 CH2/ CHs/ 82 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 153, 160 (1911). 83 SABATIER and MURAT, Compt. rend., 154, 923 (1912). 84 SABATIER and MURAT, Compt. rend., 154, 924 (1912). 85 SABATIER and MURAT, Compt. rend., 156, 424 (1913). 86 SABATIER and MURAT, Compt. rend., 156, 751 (1913). 87 WILLSTATTER and KAMETAKA, Berichte, 41, 1480 (1908). 88 ROZANOV, /. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 48, 168 (1916), C. A^ n, 454. 171 HYDROGENATIONS IN THE GAS PHASE 476 Methyl-cyclopropene yields isobutane at 170-180 : 89 CH 3 \ ;c.GH 3 - )CH.CH 3 . CH2/ CH 3 / Dimethylmethylene-cyclo-propanp gives isohexane at 160: 90 ;C:C(CH 3 ) 2 -> CH 3 .CH 2 CH 2 CH(CH 3 )2 CH 2 / 473. Tetramethylene Ring. Cyclobutane furnishes butane, while cyclobutene, at 180, passes first into cyclobutane and then into butane. 91 474. Pentamethylene Ring. Cyclopentadiene is regularly hy- drogenated to cyclopentane 92 475. Hexamethylene Ring. Cyclohexene, C 6 H 10 , is readily re- duced to the cyclohexane condition by nickel below 180. The same is true of the cyclohexadienes. All the cyclohexene hydrocarbons are readily hydrogenated by nickel to the cyclohexane hydrocarbons. Thus the ethylene hydro- carbons formed from the three dimethyl-cyclohexanols readily furnish the three dimethyl-cyclohexanes. 93 Methyl-ethyl-l,2-cyclo- hexene regularly passes into the corresponding saturated deriva- tive. 94 Menthene, CH 3 . C 6 H 8 . C 3 H 7 , submits to regular hydrogenation at 175 to give p.methyl-isopropyl-cyclohexane, or menthane, iden- tical with that formed from cymene and accompanied by certain amounts of the same secondary products 95 (448) . Phenyl-cyclohexene(l,l) is readily changed to phenyl-cyclohexane by a slightly active nickel. The same is true of cyclohexyl-cyclo- hexene(l,l), which furnishes dicyclohexyl* 6 476. Acetyl- cyclohexane, CH 6 . CO . CeH^, is hydrogenated by nickel at 160, without affecting the ketone group, to give hexahydro- acetophenone. 97 Ethyl tetrahydrobenzoate, C 6 H 9 . C0 2 C 2 H 5 , is transformed into 89 MERESHKOWSKI, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 46, 97 (1914), C. A., 8, 1965. 90 ZELINSKY, Berichte, 40, 4743 (1907). 91 WILLSTATTER and BRUCE, Berichte, 40, 4456 (1907). 92 EIJKMAN, Chem. Weekblad, i, 7 (1903). 93 SABATIER and MAILHE, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 10, 552, 555 and 559 (1907). 9 * MURAT, Bull. Soc. Chim. (4), i, 774 (1907). 95 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Compt. rend., 132, 1256 (1901). 96 SABATIER and MKJRAT, Compt. rend., 154, 1390 (1912). 97 DARZENS and HOST, Compt. rend., 151, 758 (1910). 477 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 172 ethyl hexahydrobenzoate, and the ester of cyclohexene-acetic acid, C 6 H 9 . CH 2 . C0 2 H, into that of hexahydrophenyl-acetic acid. 98 Carvone adds hydrogen to its double bond and its ketone group passes into the alcohol, forming a mixture of hydrocarvols." 477. Terpenes. The terpenes with two double bonds add 2H 2 with nickel at 180, while the terpenes with one double bond usually add only H 2 . Limonene gives menthane, identical with that from menthene and cymene with the same secondary products. The same is true of sylvestrene and terpinene. Pinene is readily transformed at 170-180 into dihydropinene, C 10 H 18 , boiling at 166, identical with that prepared by the action of hydroiodic acid (Berthelot). The camphene (from an unknown source), melting at 41, studied by Sabatier and Senderens, added H 2 with difficulty at 165-175 to furnish a camphane, C 10 H 18 , boiling at 164 and appearing to be identical with that which Berthelot had previously isolated. 100 The camphene from pinene hydrochloride gave a mixture of a solid camphane, melting at 65-67, and liquid camphane , boiling at 160 . 101 An inactive camphene melting at 47-49 was transformed into a solid camphane, melting at 60, by a single hydrogenation over nickel. 102 478. Terpineol, hydrogenated over nickel, even at a low tempera- ture, around 125, is changed to hexahydrocymene. 103 a-Thujene, CH 3 .C , - 7C.CH(CH 8 ) 2 , changes into hexa. hydrocymene. 10 * 479. Heptamethylene Ring. Cycloheptadiene, C 7 H 10 , hydro- genated over nickel at 180, yields only cycloheptane, stable even with prolonged hydrogenation at 200, but at 235 it seems to isomerize into methyl-cyclohexane. 5 480. Octamethylene Ring. Cyclo-octadiene, C 8 H 12 , hydroge- 98 DARZENS, Compt. rend., 144, 328 (1907). 99 HALLER and MARTINB, Compt. rend., 140, 1302 (1905). 100 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Compt. rend., 132, 1256 (1901). 101 LIPP, Annalen, 382, 265 (1911). 102 NAMETKIN and Miss ABAUMOVSKAYA, /. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 47, 414 (1915), C. A., 10, 45. 103 HALLER and MARTINB, Compt. rend., 140, 1393 (1905). 10 * ZEOLINSKY, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 36, 768 (1904). 106 WILLSTATTER and KAMEKATA, Berichte, 41, 1480 (1908). 173 HYDROGENATIONS IN THE GAS PHASE 484 106 16) nated very slowly over nickel at 180, gives cyclo-octane, C 8 H which further hydrogenation at 200-250 appears simply to isomerize into dimethyl-cyclohexane. 107 Bicyclo-octene, at 150, furnishes bicy do-octane, boiling at 140 . 108 481. Naphthalene Nucleus. Naphthalene is transformed at 200 by nickel into tetrahydronaphthalene, 109 boiling at 205 , 110 while at 175, decahydronaphthalene, or naphthane, boiling at 187, is formed. 111 a-Naphthol, by means of two successive hydrogenations at 170 and 135, respectively, is transformed into decahydro-a-naphthol, melting at 62. Likewise by hydrogenation at 170 and then at 150, /3-naphthol yields decahydro-/3-naphthol, melting at 75. 112 /CH 482. Acenaphthene, CioHe, | 2, which is related to naphthalene \ in constitution, is transformed by nickel at 210, as well as at 250, into the tetrahydro-, C 12 H 14 , boiling at 254. 113 483. Anthracene Nucleus. Anthracene is hydrogenated in steps, more hydrogen being taken up at lower temperatures. At 260 tetrahydroanthracene, C 14 H 14 , melting at 89, is formed, while at 200, octohydroanthracene, melting at 71, is obtained. By using a very active recently prepared nickel, it is possible to transform the octo- hydro- into perhydroanthracene, C 14 H 24 , melting at 88. 114 484. Phenanthrene Nucleus. Phenanthrene, C 14 H 10 , hydrogen- ated at 160 over a very active nickel, gave a mixture of the hexa- 106 WILLSTATTER and VERAGUTH, Berichte, 40, 957 (1907). 107 WILLSTATTER and WASER, Berichte, 44, 3444 (1911). 108 WILLSTATTER and VERAGUTH, Berichte, 41, 1480 (1908). 109 The tetrahydro has d. 0.915 20 and boils at 205-207 and is known as tetralin while the dekahydro is known as dekalin and has d. 0.8827 20 and boils at 189-191. Tetralin spirits is a mixture of the two. These are coming to be important as turpentine substitutes, particularly in Europe. See DE KEGHEL, Rev. chim. ind., 29, 173-178 (1920), C. A., 14, 3803; also SHROETER, Annalen, 426, 1 (1922). E. E. R. 110 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Compt. rend., 132, 1257 (1901). 111 LEROUX, Compt. rend., 139, 672 (1904). 112 LEROUX, Compt. rend., 141, 953 (1905). Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 21, 483 (1910). 118 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Compt. rend., 132, 1257 (1901). GODCHOT, Bull Soc. Chim. (4), 3, 529 (1908). 114 GODCHOT, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 12, 468 (1907). 485 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 174 hydro-, boiling at 305, and the octohydro-, C 14 H 18 , boiling at 280 . 118 These results are different from those obtained by Schmidt and Metzger, who got only dihydrophenanthrene at 150, 116 and from those of Padoa and Fabris, who obtained a mixture of the solid dihydro- and the liquid tetrahydro- at 200, but were able to get the dodecahydro- at 175 . 117 485. Complex Rings. Pyrrol, when hydrogenated over nickel at 180-190, gives 25% of pyrrolidine, C 4 H 9 N, with a small quantity of a substance which appears to be hexahydro-indoline 486. Pyridine is only slowly attacked by hydrogenation over nickel between 120 and 220, and does not yield any piperidine; there is opening of the ring with the formation of some amyl-amine 9 487. Furfuryl-ethyl-carbinol yields tetrahydrojurjuryl-ethyl- carbinol on hydrogenation at 175 . 120 Methyl-a-fufurane adds 2H 2 at 190 to give tetrahydro-methyl- a-furfurane, / . If the hydrogenation is pushed, the ring is opened and methyl-propyl-ketone is formed, finally methyl- propyl-carbinol, or pentanol(2) , 121 488. Quinoline, when hydrogenated over a very active nickel at 160-190, adds 2H 2 to the pyridine ring to form tetrahydroqmnoline in excellent yield. Likewise 6-methyl-quinoline is readily hydrogenated to the corre- sponding methyl-tetrahydroquinoline* 22 By carrying out the hydrogenation at 130-140, over a very ac- tive nickel, decahydroquinoline may be obtained. Likewise quin- aldine furnishes decahydroquinaldine in excellent yield. 123 489. By hydrogenating quinoline at a higher temperature, the normal addition of hydrogen does not take place, but the ring is opened to yield ethyl-o.toluidine, which does not remain as such but closes the ring, with loss of hydrogen to givea-methyl-indol: 12 * us BRETEAU, Compt. rend., 140, 942 (1905). 116 SCHMIDT and METZGER, Berichte, 40, 4240 (1907). 117 PADOA and FABRIS, Gaz. Chim. ltd., 39 (1), 333 (1909). us PADOA, Gaz. Chim. Hal, 36 (2), 317 (1906). ii 9 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 144, 784 (1907). 12 DOURIS, Compt. rend., 157, 722 (1913). 121 PADOA and PONTI, Lincei, 15 (2), 610 (1906), C., 1907 (1), 570. 122 DARZENS, Compt. rend., 149, 1001 (1909). 123 SABATIER and MURAT, Compt. rend., 158, 309 (1914). 12* PADOA and CARUGHI, Lincei, 15, 113 (1906), C., 1906 (2), 1011. 175 HYDROGENATIONS IN THE GAS PHASE 493 CH CH CH CH HC C CH HC C.CH S HC C - CH I I I - I I - I I II HC C CH HC C.NH.CH 2 HC C C.CH 3 W X C/ CH 8 W 490. Carbazol, diphenyl-imide, when hydrogenated over nickel at 200 under 10 atmospheres pressure, gives a/3-dimethyl-indol: 125 .CH 491. Acridine is slowly hydrogenated over nickel at 250-270 to ap-dimethyl-quinoline: 126 HC X) C.CH 3 C 9. Carbon Bisulphide 492. When carbon disulphide vapors are carried by an excess of hydrogen over nickel at 180, a volatile, extremely ill-smelling sub- stance is produced which gives a yellow mercury salt, a white cad- mium salt, and brown lead and copper salts, and which appears to be methylene-dithiol, H 2 C(SH) 2 . 127 HYDROGENATIONS WITH DECOMPOSITIONS 493. Catalytic nickel quite frequently exercises a more or less intense decomposing action on the molecules: in such cases not only the original compound but also the fragments resulting from its decomposition are hydrogenated. Hydrocarbons. We shall study in Chapter XXI the decom- positions that hydrocarbons undergo at high temperatures in the presence of nickel and other catalysts. The study of the simultaneous hydrogenations can not be separated from that of the decompositions and molecular condensations resulting therefrom. 125 PADOA and CHIAVES, Lined, 16 (2), 762 (1907), C., 1908 (1), 649. 126 PADOA and FABRIS, Lincei, 16 (1), 921 (1907), C., 1907 (2), 612. "7 SABATIER and ESPIL, Bull Soc. Chim. (4), 15, 228 (1914). 494 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 176 494. Aliphatic and Aromatic Ethers. Aliphatic ethers resist hydrogenation over nickel quite well, but when it is carried out above 250, there is decomposition into hydrocarbon and alcohol which is then attacked, furnishing the products of the hydrogenation of its debris. Thus ethyl ether gives ethane and alcohol which gives the frag- ments of acetaldehyde, of which the carbon monoxide is partly changed to methane: 128 (C 2 H 5 ) 2 + H 2 = C 2 H 6 + CH 3 . CH 2 OH then CH 3 . CH 2 OH = CH 4 + CO + H 2 CO + 3H 2 = CH 4 + H 2 0. Aromatic ethers undergo an analogous decomposition with nickel, this taking place at moderate temperatures with the mixed alkyl phenyl ethers and greatly diminishing the yields of the mixed alkyl- cyclo-aliphatic ethers which are made by their hydrogenation. In the hydrogenation of anisol to methoxy-cyclohexane (464), there is the production of certain amounts of methyl alcohol and cyclohexane 8 If the operation is carried on above 300, there is no hydrogenation of the nucleus and scission is rapid in the same manner as with aliphatic ethers. We have two reactions: C 6 H 5 . . R + H 2 = RH + C 6 H 5 . OH phenol and C 6 H 6 . . R + H 2 = C 6 H 6 + R . OH alcohol the alcohol itself being more or less broken down by the hydrogena- tion. This is the case with the methyl ethers of phenol, of the three cresols, of a-naphthol, etc., and also with phenyl oxide which is the most resistant to decomposition. 129 495. Phenyl Isocyanate. Phenyl isocyanate, when hydrogenated over nickel at 190, breaks up into two portions which are hydro- genated separately: C 6 H 6 . N : CO = CO + C 6 H 5 . N-. We obtain aniline and carbon monoxide which yields methane with the formation of water. This reacts quantitatively with the original compound to give carbon dioxide and solid diphenyl-urea. 1 * 128 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Bull Soc. Chim. (3), 33, 616 (1905). "9 MAILHE and MURAT, Bull. Soc. Chim. (4), n, 122 (1912). 130 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 144, 825 (1907). 177 HYDROGENATIONS IN THE GAS PHASE 497 496. Amines. Various amines hydrogenated over nickel at above 300-350, tend to form ammonia and a hydrocarbon. This reaction which takes place readily with aliphatic amines has already been mentioned with aniline (378). It takes place with the homologs of aniline, with benzyl-amine and with the naphthyl-amines. Hexamethylene-tetramine is completely decomposed yielding ammonia, trimethyl-amine and methane: 131 N(CH 2 . N : CH 2 ) 3 + 9H 2 = N(CH 3 ) S + 3NH 3 + 3CH 4 . 497. Compounds Containing -N . N-. Phenylhydrazine, hydro- genated above 210, is split into ammonia and aniline, accompanied by cyclohexyl-amine, dicyclohexyl-amine, and even by benzene and cyclohexane. 132 The main reaction is: C 6 H 5 . NH . NH 2 + H 2 = NH 3 + C 6 H 6 . NH 2 . Azobenzene, C 6 H 5 . N : N . C 6 H 5 , hydrogenated at 290, yields aniline chiefly. 132 Indol. On hydrogenation over nickel at 200, indol is split into o.toluidine and methane: 133 C 6 H ;CH + 3H 2 = CeH + CH 4 \NH/ \NH 2 181 GRASSI, Gaz. Chim. Hal, 36 (2), 505 (1906). 132 SABATIER and SBNDERBNS, Bull Soc. Chim. (3), 35, 259 (1906). 133 CARRASCO and PADOA, Lincei, 14 (2), 699 (1906), C., 1906 (2), 683. CHAPTER X HYDROGENATIONS (Continued) HYDROGEN ATIONS IN GASEOUS SYSTEM (Continued) I. USE OF VARIOUS CATAUYSTS 498. Nickel as a hydrogenation catalyst can be replaced by vari- ous finely divided metals, such as cobalt, iron, copper, platinum, and the platinum metals, particularly palladium. Cobalt 499. Finely divided cobalt such as is produced by the reduction of the oxide in the hydrogenation tube itself, seems to be able to take the place of nickel in all the various reactions which nickel can catalyze. But its use is disadvantageous because its activity is less and more easily destroyed than that of nickel; because higher temperatures are required when using it ; and also because the reduction of its oxide is practicable only in the neighborhood of 400, and hence the oxide resulting from spontaneous oxidation during the time the apparatus is cold and out of use, can not be reduced at temperatures below 250 such as are commonly used in hydrogenations. 500. Ethylene Hydrocarbons. When a mixture of ethylene and an excess of hydrogen is passed over cold reduced cobalt, immediate action takes place with the production of ethane, and the end of the cobalt layer becomes hot. The heated portion moves slowly along the metal and the evolution of heat finally ceases and the production of ethane stops also, doubtless because the cobalt is slightly car- bonized in the course of the reaction and its activity so diminished that it is unable to continue the reaction without the aid of external heat. At 150, the hydrogenation of ethylene continues indefinitely, but the cobalt is slowly weakened, more rapidly than nickel. Above 300, the disturbance due to, the action of the cobalt on the ethylene (910) appears and the issuing gases contain methane and carry along small amounts of liquid hydrocarbons. 1 1 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 4, 344 (1905). 178 179 HYDROGENATIONS IN GASEOUS SYSTEM 505 The action of cobalt on the homologs of ethylene is similar to that of nickel but weaker. 501. Acetylene. Reduced cobalt, entirely free from nickel, can serve to hydrogenate acetylene, but there is no reaction in the cold. The fixation of hydrogen begins at about 180, and the ethane pro- duced is accompanied by a small amount of liquid hydrocarbons, which are more abundant if the reaction is carried on at 250. 2 502. Benzene and its Homologs. Reduced cobalt can effect the direct hydrogenation of benzene and its homologs at 180, but its activity falls off rather rapidly. 3 503. Aliphatic Aldehydes and Ketones. Cobalt can transform aliphatic aldehydes and ketones into the alcohols below 180, but is less active than nickel. Under identical conditions, with the same apparatus, the same temperature, the same velocity of hydrogen, and the same rate of admission of acetone, the^yield of isopropyl alcohol was about 83% with nickel as catalyst but slightly less than 50% with cobalt. 4 504. Carbon Monoxide and Dioxide. Reduced cobalt can cause the transformation of carbon monoxide into methane, as does nickel, but the reaction does not begin till about 270. It is rapid at 300, but is opposed more strongly, than is the case with nickel, by the decomposition of carbon monoxide into carbon and the dioxide (615) . This decomposition is as rapid with cobalt as with nickel, while the hydrogenation is slower with the cobalt. The hydrogenation of carbon dioxide is effected by cobalt from 300 up. It is rapid at 360 and even more so at 400 and is accom- plished without any complications. 5 Iron 505. Finely divided iron, obtained by the reduction of its oxides, can be substituted for nickel as a hydrogenation catalyst in certain cases, but is less active than nickel and even less active than cobalt. Besides, it has the marked disadvantage of being much more difficult to prepare from its oxide. Between 400 and 500 it is necessary to continue the action of hydrogen from six to seven hours to obtain complete reduction. When the metal is reduced more rapidly at higher temperatures, it is no longer pyrophoric and has only slight activity. 2 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 4, 352 (1905). 8 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 4, 368 (1905). 4 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 4, 400 and 403 (1905). 6 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 4, 424 (1905). 606 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 180 506. Ethylene Hydrocarbons. Iron causes the hydrogenation of ethylene only above 180, and its activity decreases with the slow carbonizing of the metal. Acetylene. The hydrogenation of acetylene does not commence till above 180, and always gives rise to the formation of rather large amounts of colored hydrocarbons, containing higher ethylene hydro- carbons soluble in sulphuric acid, aromatic hydrocarbons, and only a small amount of saturated hydrocarbons. The odor and appearance of the product suggest certain natural petroleums of Canada. To a certain extent, iron can cause the hydrogenation of aldehydes, ketones and nitro compounds r but is incapable of transforming carbon monoxide and dioxide into methane or of adding hydrogen to the benzene nucleus. 6 Copper 507. Reduced copper is a useful catalyst for certain hydrogena- tions. For such its use is advantageous on account of its ease of preparation, the low temperature, below 180, at which its oxide can be reduced, and its resistance to poisons which is more marked than with other metal catalysts. 508. Reduction of Carbon Dioxide. Copper, even in its most active form (59), is incapable of causing the direct hydrogenation of carbon monoxide to methane and does not show any action on mix- tures of carbon monoxide and hydrogen below 450. It is the same way with mixtures of hydrogen and carbon dioxide below 300 , but between 350 and 400 a special reaction appears gradually and is quite definite at 420-450. There is reduction of the carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide and water, according to the equation: C0, 2 + H 2 = CO + H 2 0. Thus with a mixture of one part carbon dioxide to about three parts of hydrogen, a gas was obtained containing: Carbon monoxide 10.0% by volume Carbon dioxide 17.2% " Hydrogen 72.8% " More than a third of the carbon dioxide had been reduced to the monoxide. The proportion reduced is less when the concentration of hydrogen in the mixture is less. SABATIER and SENDEBENS. Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 4, 345, 353, 368, 425, and 428 (1905). 181 HYDROGENATIONS IN GASEOUS SYSTEM 512 In no case is even a trace of methane formed. 7 509. Nitro Compounds. Copper gives results analogous to those with nickel (373 to 378) only at higher temperatures. Nitrous oxide is reduced to nitrogen at 180 and nitric oxide is changed into ammonia at the same temperature. Nitrogen peroxide givies copper nitride in the cold, 8 and it is only towards 180 that ammonia is produced. If the proportion of nitrogen per- oxide becomes too great, there is incandescence followed by an ex- plosion. 9 510. Nitromethane, hydrogenated between 300 and 400, gives, along with methyl-amine, a liquid of a more or less brown color with a disgusting odor in which appear crystals which are the methyl- amine -salt of nitromethane. Between 300 and 400, nitro-ethane gives ethyl-amine without notable complications. 10 511. Copper is the best of all the finely divided metals for trans- forming aromatic nitro derivatives into the amines, since its very regular hydrogenating action affects only the -NO 2 group and does not touch the aromatic nucleus. Nitrobenzene is thus changed to aniline from 230 up, the reaction being rapid and very regular be- tween 300 and 400, and so long as the hydrogen is in excess, aniline is obtained in 98% yield containing only traces of nitrobenzene and the red azobenzene. The same metal can be used for a long time. The hydrogen can, without inconvenience, be replaced by water gas, the carbon monoxide of which acts usefully as a reducing agent to some extent since a part of it is transformed into carbon dioxide. The manufacture carried out with copper, a metal which is not costly and which serves for a long time and is easily regenerated without loss, and by means of a very cheap gas, can be carried on continu- ously and is very economical. 11 Coppered pumice at 200-210 has been proposed as a substitute for copper. 12 512. The manufacture of the toluidines from the nitrotoluenes is also advantageously carried on by copper at 300-400, and likewise 7 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 4, 426 (1905). 8 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Ann. Chim. Phys. (7), 7, 401 (1896). 9 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Compt. rend., 135, 278 (1902). 10 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Compt. rend., 135, 227 (1902). 11 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Compt. rend., 133, 321 (1901). SABATIER, Vth. Cong. Pure and Appl. Chem., Berlin, 1903, II, 617. SENDERENS, French Patent, 312,615 (1901). 12 BADISCHE, English patent. 6,409 of 1915. J. Soc. Chem. Ind., 35, 920 (1916). 513 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 182 a-naphthyl-armne is readily obtained from a-nitronaphthalene at 330-350. 13 The chlornitrobenzenes are regularly transformed by copper into the chloranilines at 360-380. On the contrary, copper gives poor results with the dinitrobenzenes and the bromnitrobenzenes. 1 * At 265 the results are excellent with the nitrophenols and the nitranilines 513. Esters of Nitrous Acid. Nitrous esters are regularly hydrogenated into the amines, over copper as well as over nickel, but at a higher temperature, 330-350, the results are satisfactory for nitrites with heavy hydrocarbon chains, but are less so for methyl nitrite which gives brown products analogous to those obtained from nitromethane. 16 514. Oximes. Copper accomplishes the regular hydrogenation of aliphatic aldoximes and ketoximes between 200 and 300 into primary and secondary amines without complications, 17 and the same may be said about aliphatic amides. 515. Ethylene Compounds. Most often copper serves to add hydrogen to the ethylene double bond. Ethylene, propylene and a-octene are changed to the correspond- ing saturated compounds at above 180. However, trimethyl- ethylene and /3-hexene are not hydrogenated by copper, and it has been concluded that copper does not cause the hydrogenation of any except a -ethylene compounds, that is to say, those in which one of the CH 2 groups of the ethylene is not substituted. 19 This limitation is not general since the vapors of oleic acid are readily hydrogenated into stearic acid at around 300. Water gas can be substituted for the pure hydrogen in this preparation and it has industrial possibilities. 20 It may be noted that copper does not cause the hydrogenation of symmetrical diphenyl-ethylene, or stilbene, C 6 H 5 . CH : CH . C 6 H 5 , of cyclohexene, C 6 H 10 , or of the methyl-cyclohexenes. 21 516. The use of copper, which acts on the ethylene double bond 18 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Compt. rend., 135, 225 (1902). 14 MIGNONAC, Bull. Soc. Chim., (4), 7, 154, 270 and 504 (1910). 16 BROWN and CARRICK, J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 41, 436 (1919). 18 GATTDION, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 25, 136 (1912). 17 MAILHE, Compt. rend., 140, 1691 (1905) and 141, 113 (1905). 18 MAILHE, Bull. Soc. Chim. (3), 35, 614 (1906). 19 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Compt. rend., 134, 1127 (1902). 20 SABATIER, French patent, 394,957 (1907). 21 SABATIER, 50th. Cong, des Soc. Sav. (1912). Journ. Offic., 3628: April 11, 1912. 183 HYDROGENATIONS IN GASEOUS SYSTEM 621 without attacking the aromatic nucleus, permits us to effect certain hydrogenations distinct from those obtained with nickel. Phenyl- ethylene, or styrene, C 6 H 3 . CH : CH 2 , which nickel changes into ethyl-cyclohexane, is transformed quantitatively at 180 by copper into ethyl-benzene. 22 517. Limonene, CH 8 .C 6 H 8 .C' which nickel readily changes into menthane (477), gives only dihydrolimonene, C 10 H 18 , isomeric with menthene 22 518. Acetylene Hydrocarbons. Copper can not hydrogenate acetylene in the cold, the reaction being around 130 over copper with a light purple color and around 180 over copper of a clear red. Carried on with excess of hydrogen, the reaction always gives a cer- tain proportion of liquid hydrocarbons along with the ethane. When the amount of acetylene equals or surpasses the amount of hydrogen, the special condensing action of copper on acetylene (914) becomes evident: the copper swells up gradually on account of the formation of solid cuprene, (C 7 H fl ) x the gases evolved contain higher ethylene hydrocarbons and a mixture of liquid ethylene and aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, and homologs and styrene) is col- lected. A gas mixture containing 21 H 2 to 19 C 2 H,2 gave, at 150 over violet copper, a condensation of materials containing 25 C with about 65% carbon, one third as cuprene and the other two thirds as liquid hydrocarbons. 23 519. The hydrogenation of a-heptine over copper at below 200, gave a little heptane, but chiefly heptene, diheptene, and triheptene 2 * 520. Phenyl acetylene, C 6 H 5 . C ; CH, which nickel transforms easily into ethyl-cyclohexane (451), gave by hydrogenation over copper between 190 and 250, ethyl-benzene, C 6 H 6 . CH 2 . CH 3 , accompanied by a little phenyl-ethylene and a nearly equal amount of symmetrical diphenyl-butane, C H 5 . CH 2 . CH 2 . CH 2 . CH 2 . C 6 H 6 , a well crystallized solid. 25 521. Nitriles. Copper can transform nitriles into primary and secondary amines 26 in the same manner that nickel does. It acts 22 SABATIEB and SENDERENS, Compt. rend., 132, 1255 (1901). 23 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Compt. rend., 130, 1559 (1900). 24 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Compt. rend., 135, 87 (1902). 26 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Compt. rend., 135, 88 (1902). 26 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Compt. rend., 140, 482 (1905) and Bull. Soc. Chim. (3), 33, 371 (1905), 522 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 184 similarly on the carbyl-amines? 7 but its action is less rapid than that of nickel. 522. Aliphatic Aldehydes and Ketones. Below 200, copper can transform these slowly into the alcohols, but the inverse action usually preponderates and this makes the use of copper less advantageous. Furthermore, copper is incapable of transforming the oxides of carbon into methane or of hydrogenating the aromatic nucleus. 523. Aromatic Ketones. When benzophenone is hydrogenated at 350 over copper with a violet tint, prepared by the reduction of the hydroxide (59), diphenyl-methane is formed directly. 28 Platinum 524. Platinum black can be used for direct hydro genation in quite a large number of cases and its activity is greater than that of copper though less than that of nickel. Its activity is greater, the more tenuous the black and the more recently it has been prepared. It is rapidly exhausted and this fact taken together with the high cost of the metal renders its use generally less advantageous. Platinum moss, or sponge, behaves the same way but with less activity, which is usually not manifested except at a higher tempera- ture. 525. Union of Carbon and Hydrogen. The presence of finely divided platinum on the carbon accelerates its direct combination with hydrogen to form methane at 1200, the limit of the combina- tion, 0.53%, not being altered. 29 526. Ethylene Compounds. A mixture of ethylene and hydrogen is transformed into ethane in the cold in the presence of platinum black. 30 But after some time the slight carbonization of the metal prevents the reaction from proceeding at the ordinary temperature and it is necessary to heat to 120, or even to 180, to obtain a rapid formation of ethane. 81 Analogous results are obtained with propylene. The vapors of amyl oleate can be hydrogenated over platinized asbestos to amyl stearate.* 2 527. Acetylene Hydrocarbons. Acetylene combines with hydro- " SABATIEB and MAILHB, Ann. Chim. Phys., (8) 16, 95 (1909). 88 SABATIEB and MURAT, Campt. rend., 158, 761 (1914). M PRING, J. Chem. Soc., 97, 498 (1910). 80 VON WILDE, Berichte, 7, 352 (1874). 81 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Compt. rend., 131, 40 (1900). 82 FOKIN, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 38, 419 (1906), C., 1906 (2), 758. 185 HYDROGENATIONS IN GASEOUS SYSTEM 533 gen in the cold in the presence of platinum black, giving first ethylene and then ethane. 30 In presence of an excess of hydrogen, acetylene is entirely trans- formed into pure ethane without any side reactions. At 180 the same reaction takes place more rapidly but there is the formation of a certain amount of higher liquid hydrocarbons. By augmenting the proportion of acetylene in the mixture, ethylene becomes the main product but some ethane is always formed even though unchanged acetylene remains. If the proportion of acetylene becomes great enough, with the platinum black at 180, a certain amount of smoky decomposition of the gas is observed and this ends with incandescence, as is the case with nickel (914) . Platinum sponge is not active in the cold and does not effect the hydrogenation of acetylene except above ISO . 33 528. Hydrocyanic Acid. Platinum black can hydrogenate hydrocyanic acid to methyl-amine at 116, but the cyanidation of the metal soon diminishes its activity and stops the reaction. 34 529. Nitro Compounds. Nitrogen oxides, either nitric oxide or the dioxide, are readily reduced to ammonia with the aid of platinum sponge which is thereby heated to incandescence. 35 530. Nitromethane is hydrogenated over platinum sponge at 300, more slowly than over copper but with analogous results (510) , 86 531. Various forms of platinum, black, sponge, and platinized asbestos, can cause the transformation of nitrobenzene into aniline, but their catalytic power is low and, if the hydrogen is not in large excess, there is incomplete reduction with the formation of crystal- lized hydrazobenzene. 37 532. Aliphatic Aldehydes and Ketones. Finely divided plati- num is unsuitable for the regular transformation of these into the alcohols, since at the temperatures which must be used, which are above 200, the metal acts powerfully to break up the aldehyde mole- cule into carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon (622). 533. Finely divided platinum, even in the form of highly active black, has proved powerless to effect the direct hydrogenation of carbon monoxide or dioxide to methane. There is no action even up to 450. 38 88 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Compt. rend., 131, 40 (1900). 84 DEBUS, J. Chem. Soc., 16, 249 (1863). 36 KUHLMANN, Compt. rend., 7, 1107 (1838). 36 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Compt. rend., 135, 226 (1902). 87 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 4, 414 (1905). 88 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Compt. rend., 134, 514 and 689 (1902). 534 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 186 534. Aromatic Nucleus. Recently prepared platinum black can transform benzene into cyclohexane at 180 for a time, but its ac- tivity diminishes rapidly and soon disappears. Platinum sponge has not this power. 39 According to Zelinsky, platinum is as well able to hydrogenate benzene, toluene, the three xylenes and ethyl-benzene, as is nickel. 40 He states the same about palladium. 535. Polymethylene Rings. Spirocyclane, with the aid of plati- num, first adds H 2 to form ethyl trimethylene, which passes to pen- tane by a second addition: 41 CH V x \CH 2 CH2/ Cyclo-octatetrene adds 4H 2 with the aid of platinum sponge to form cyclooctane. 42 Palladium 536. Palladium, previously charged with hydrogen, is able to effect varied hydrogenations, such as the transformation of nitrobenzene into aniline, nitromethane into methyl-amine, and nitrophenols into amino- phenols (Graham) . It is easy to foresee that it can serve equally well as a hydrogenation catalyst, the intermediate hydride which enables it to accomplish these results being notably stable in this case. The formation of aniline by the action of hydrogen on nitrobenzene in the presence of palladium was shown by Saytzeff. 43 Carbon monoxide can be reduced in the cold, or better, at 400, to methane in the presence of palladium sponge. 44 Phenanthrene, carried over palladium sponge at 150-160 by a current of hydrogen, gives a mixture of tetrahydro- and octohydro- phenanthrene* 5 Unfortunately the excessive price of palladium restricts its useful applications. 39 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 4, 368 (1905). 40 ZELINBKY, /. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 44, 274 (1912). 41 ZELINSKY, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 44, 275 (1912). 42 WILLSTATTEB and WASER, Berichte, 44, 3423 (1911). 48 KOLBE and SAYTZEFF, J. prakt. Chem. (2), 4, 418 (1871). 44 BRETEATJ, Etude sur les meth. d' hydrogenation, 1911, p. 22. 45 BRETEAU, Ibid., p. 24. 187 HYDROGENATIONS IN GASEOUS SYSTEM 538 II. HYDROGENATION BY NASCENT HYDROGEN 537. Certain catalyses yield hydrogen and the gas so produced can be immediately employed for hydrogenation purposes. We can thus use as sources of active hydrogen, alcohol vapors, formic acid, and even a mixture of water and carbon monoxide. Hydrogenation by Alcohol Vapors 538. Primary and secondary alcohols can, under the influence of various catalysts, be decomposed into aldehydes and ketones and hydrogen (653) : the hydrogen thus set free can act in the nascent state on substances the vapors of which are mixed with the alcohols. Copper can easily realize such reactions, but we can attribute to its action the hydrogenation correlative to the decomposition. We can use mixed oxide catalysts (675) and even dehydrating catalysts, such as thoria, the presence of the substance that can be hydrogenated orienting the decomposition of the alcohol in the direc- tion of the separation of hydrogen and greatly diminishing the extent of the dehydration reaction. Thus over thoria at 420, benzhydrol, with ethyl alcohol in excess, gives much diphenyl-methane accompanied by a little benzophenone and tetraphenyl-ethane (720) : acetaldehyde is evolved and the gases arising from its decomposition. The alcohol most suitable for this sort of hydrogenation is methyl alcohol on account of its great tendency to produce formaldehyde and particularly the products of its decomposition, carbon monoxide and hydrogen (693) : H . CH 2 OH = 2H 2 + CO. The vapors of the substance to be hydrogenated are passed over thoria at 420, with an excess of methyl alcohol, the hydrogenation is advantageously accomplished in all cases in which the product is stable at that temperature. Thus benzophenone and benzhydrol are changed almost completely into diphenyl-methane , while benzyl al- cohol and benzaldehyde give toluene, acetophenone furnishes ethyl- benzene, and nitrobenzene yields aniline* 6 * 7 46 SABATIER and MURAT, Compt. rend., 157, 1499 (1913). Butt. Soc. Chim. (4), 15, 227 (1914). 47 By using 2.5 moles of ethyl alcohol to 1 of benzaldehyde, and passing the mixed vapors over ceria on asbestos at 300-300, benzyl alcohol is obtained along with acetaldehyde. Similarly citronellol is formed from citronellal and phenylethyl alcohol from phenylacetaldehyde. The yields are variable and the catalyst is rapidly fouled, probably on account of the formation of condensation products of the aldehydes either alone or with each other. See article by Milligan and>yself, Jour. Amer, Chem. Soc., 44, 202 (1922). E. E. R. 539 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 188 Hydrogenation by the Vapors of Formic Acid 539. The vapors of formic acid passing over various catalysts, finely divided platinum, copper or nickel reduced from their oxides, cadmium, stannous oxide or zinc oxide, are decomposed below 300 into carbon dioxide and hydrogen (824) : HC0 2 H = H 2 + C0 2 . This hydrogen can be used to hydrogenate substances the vapors of which are present in the system. Under these conditions, using nickel at 300, acetophenone is changed to ethyl-benzene, phenyl- ethyl-ketone into propyl-benzene, and benzophenone into diphenyl- me thane. Thoria, alumina and zirconia effect the same hydrogenations above 300, but the oxides of manganese appear to be inactive. 48 Hydrogenation by the Mixture of Carbon Monoxide and Water 540. The mixture CO + H 2 can be transformed into C0 2 + H 2 , the reaction being favored by the temporary combination of the car- bon dioxide with the catalyst or by the immediate utilization, thanks to the catalyst, of the hydrogen to hydrogenate the carbon monoxide into methane. The reaction then becomes: 4CO + 2H 2 = 3C0 2 + CH 4 . It is found, in fact, that a mixture of steam and carbon monoxide passing over lime at above 1000 gives the above reaction and we have the following reaction at the same time: CO + H 2 = C0 2 + H 2 . As calcium carbonate is entirely decomposed at this temperature, the lime acts as a true catalyst. By separating the carbon dioxide, we can obtain a mixture containing: Hydrogen 88% by volume Methane 49 12% The same mixture passing over iron wool likewise gives methane in varying amounts: At 250 7.3% by volume At 950 11.2% At 1250 7.1% By the use of fine nickel turnings a maximum content of 12.5% of 48 MAILHE and DE GODON, Butt. Soc. Chim. (4) ,'"21, 61 (1917). 49 VIQNON, Compt., rend., 156, 1995 (1913). 189 HYDROGENATIONS IN GASEOUS SYSTEM 640 methane is obtained at 400. With copper turnings, almost no result is obtained at 500, and the maximum, 6.3%, is obtained at 700. Precipitated silica gives a maximum of 8.4% at 700, while for alumina, obtained by calcining the hydroxide, the maximum, 3.8%, is obtained at 950 , and for magnesia, a maximum of 6.7% at 900 . 50 80 VIGNON, Compt. rend., 157, 131 (1913). Butt. Soc. Chim. (4), 13, 889 (1913). CHAPTER XI HYDROGENATIONS (Continued) DIRECT HYDROGENATIONS OF LIQUIDS IN CONTACT WITH METAL CATALYSTS 541. We have explained the phenomena of direct hydrogenation as accomplished by various finely divided metals when the substance to be hydrogenated is brought in contact with the metal in the gaseous form, by assuming a sort of hydride of the metal, an unstable com- pound formed rapidly and decomposed rapidly in the act of hydro- genating the substance (165). This explanation does not necessarily require that the substance to be hydrogenated be in the gaseous form as we can see that the same reaction can be accomplished with a liquid material intimately mixed with a finely divided metal capable of taking up hydrogen. In order that the hydrogen may come into contact with the metal it is necessary that its solubility in the liquid be made sufficiently great by using low temperatures at the ordinary pressure, or a high pressure of hydrogen if it is necessary to heat. An energetic and continuous agitation, constantly renewing the contact of the catalyst with the unchanged portions of the liquid will be most useful. Furthermore, in order for the metal to be able to preserve its activity, it must not be oxidisable at the working temperature, or this temperature must be high enough to assure the reduction by the hydrogen in the system of any oxide formed. 542. From these conditions may be derived several methods which give results in general identical with those obtained by the method of Sabatier and Senderens of hydrogenating vapors over nickel, and which may offer great advantages in some cases. The first attempt to hydrogenate substances directly in the liquid state had for its object the hydrogenation of liquid fats and was made in 1902-1903. 1 Then followed the method of Ipatief based on the use of nickel at 250 to 400 in the presence of hydrogen compressed to more than 100 atmospheres, and at almost the same time the method 1 LEPKINCE and SIEVKE, German patent, 141,029 (1903). NORMAN, English patent, 1515 of 1903. Chem. Cent., 1903 (1), 1199. 190 191 DIRECT HYDROGENATIONS OF LIQUIDS 545 of Paal, relying on the use of colloidal metals (platinum or palladium) acting at near the ordinary temperature, and then in 1908, the method of Willstatter which depends on the use of platinum black. We shall take up first the methods using the precious metals, then those employing the common metals whether at high pressures of hydrogen or at pressures near the atmospheric. 543. Except the process of Ipatief, which, on account of the high pressures used, demands an entirely special outfit, the various methods of hydrogenation in liquid medium employ apparatus of the same kind, though they may vary much in forms and dimensions. The main thing is a working vessel containing the liquid to be hydro- genated, either alone or dissolved in a suitable solvent and mixed with the solid catalyst. This recipient, which must be capable of being kept at known temperatures, is mounted on a mechanical shaker capable of assuring the best possible contact between liquid, catalyzer, and hydrogen. It is kept in communication with a cylinder of com- pressed hydrogen which can be introduced from time to time under known pressures, or if the hydrogenation is to be carried on at atmospheric pressure, the recipient communicates continuously with a hydrogen gasometer, the graduations of which enable us to follow the course of the reaction and to determine its end. I. METHOD OF PAAL 544. The methods of preparing colloidal platinum and palladium, such as are used in the method of Paal, have been given above (67 to 71). The amounts of these metals to be used are not over 16 to 50% of the weight of the substance to be hydrogenated, and can, according to Paal, be reduced to from 0.5 to 1% for colloidal palladium or to 1 to 2% for colloidal platinum. 2 Use of Colloidal Palladium 545. Reductions with Simultaneous Fixation of Hydrogen. Nitro compounds are readily changed into amino compounds. Thus nitrobenzene is easily transformed into aniline, particularly at 65- 85. 8 Nitroacetophenone gives aminoacetophenone. 4 The halogen of chlorine or bromine derivatives may be readily replaced by hydrogen when a current of hydrogen is passed through 2 PAAL, German patent, 298,193, 1913, Chem. Cent., 1917 (2), 145. 3 PAAL and AMBERQER, Berichte, 38, 1406 (1906). 4 SKITA and MEYER, Berichte, 45, 3579 (1912). 546 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 192 the compound containing colloidal palladium and boiling under reflux. Thus we obtain benzene from brombenzene. This reduction works well with o.chlor-benzoic acid, o.chlorcinnamic acid, chlorcrotonic acid, and chlor caffeine, etc., without any other change in the mole- cule. 5 546. Fixation of Hydrogen by Addition. The ethylene double bond is readily hydrogenated. Ethylene is easily transformed into ethane. 6 Styrene gives ethyl-benzene. Bromstyrene is simultaneously saturated and dehalogenated to ethyl-benzene. 7 l,10-Diphenyl-decadiene(l$) furnishes 1,10-diphenyl-decane* Mesityl oxide, treated in alcohol solution with the metal prepared by means of gum arabic, changes into methyl-isobutyl-ketone. 9 a-M ethyl- fi-ethyl-propenal, hydrogenated under the same condi- tions under 2 atmospheres pressure of hydrogen, gives chiefly the saturated aldehyde, a-methyl-valeric aldehyde, accompanied by a small amount of the unsaturated alcohol a-methyl-pentenyl alcohol. 10 Crotonic, isocrotonic, and tetrolic acids are transformed into the corresponding saturated acids. 11 Fumaric acid in an hour and a half, and maleic acid in seven hours are changed into succinic acid. Oleic acid gives a 60% yield of stearic acid in 43 minutes. Cinnamic acid is changed into phenylpropionic acid. 12 Cinnamic aldehyde, dissolved in 20 parts of alcohol, is transformed into phenylpropionic aldehyde. , 18 Isopropylidene-cyclopentanone adds H 2 to form isopropyl-cyclo- pentanone: " CH 3 \ /CO -CH 2 CH 3 \ /CO- CH 2 ;C:C( 1 -j ;CH.CH( CH 3 / \CH 2 -CH 2 CH 3 / \CH 2 -CH 2 ROSENMUND and ZETSCHE, Berichte, 51, 579 (1918). PAAL and HARTMANN, Berichte, 48, 984 (1915). BOBSCHE and HEIMBIJRQER, Berichte, 48, 452 (1915). BORSCHE and WOLLEMANN, Berichte, 44, 3185 (1911). WALLACH, Nach. Ges. der Wiss. Gottingen, 1910, 517. SKITA, Berichte, 48 1486 (1915). 10 SKITA, Berichte, 48, 1486 (1915). 11 BO"ESEKEN, VAN DER WEIDE and MOM, Rec. Trav. Chim. Pays Bos., 35, 260 (1915). 12 PAAL and GERUM, Berichte, 41, 2273 and 2277 (1908). 18 SKITA, Berichte, 48, 1691 (1915). BOESEKEN, VAN DER WEIDE and MOM, Rec. Trav. Chim. Pays-Bas, 35, 260 (1916). 14 WALLACH, Annalen, 394, 362 (1912). 193 DIRECT HYDROGENATIONS OF LIQUIDS 548 547. In the case of diethylene compounds, if the double bonds are consecutive, both are hydrogenated simultaneously but if they are separated by more than one carbon atom, they are hydrogenated successively. Thus phorone gives first dihydrophorone and then valerone. Dibenzylidene-acetone, C 6 H 5 . CH : CH . CO . CH : CH . C 6 H 5 , can give first benzyl-benzylidene-acetone, C 6 H 5 . CH : CH . CO . CH 2 .- CH 2 . C 6 H 5 , and then dibenzyl-acetone. 15 548. The acetylene triple bond can be saturated in two steps. Acetylene itself gives ethylene chiefly, up to 80%. 16 Phenyl-acetylene in acetic acid solution gives styrene and then ethyl-benzene. 17 Tolane yields stilbene and then dibenzyl. Diphenyl-diacetylene passes intoay-diphenyl-butadieneay, then into cty-diphenyl-butane 17 Phenylpropiolic acid, C 6 H 5 . C i C . COOH, gives a poor yield of cinnamic acid, C 6 H 5 . CH : CH . C0 2 H, and does not go into phenyl- propionic. 18 2,5-Dimethyl-hexine(3)-diol(2,5) adds only H 2 to give the ethylene-diol, and the same is true of l,4^diphenyl-butine(2)- diol(l,4) 19 and of dimethyl-diethyl-butine-diol 20 while dimethyl- diphenyl-butine-diol gives, in succession, the ethylene glycol and the saturated glycol. 21 On the contrary, 2-methy1r-4r-phenyl-butine(3)~ 61(2), (CH 3 ) 2 C(OH) . C C . C 6 H 5 , adds 2H 2 immediately to give the saturated alcohol. 22 CH 3 .CH 2 \ /CH 2 .CH 3 Dimethyl-octine-diol, /C(OH) .C i C .C(OH)( , CH 3 / \CH 3 hydrogenated in alcohol solution, adds H 2 to form dimethyl-octene- diol 23 In the hydrogenations of these acetylene glycols, the speed of the reaction is usually proportional to the amount of catalyst present, 16 PAAL, Berichte, 45, 2221 (1912). 16 PAAL and HOHENEGQER, Berichte, 48, 275 (1915). PAAL and SCHWARZ, Berichte, 48, 1202 (1915). 17 KELBER and SCHWARZ, Berichte, 45, 1951 (1912). 18 PAAL and SCHWARZ, Berichte, 51, 640 (1918). 19 ZALKIND, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 45, 1875 (1914), C. A., 8, 1419. 20 ZALKIND and Miss MARKARTAN, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 48, 538 (1916), C. A., n, 584. 21 ZALKIND and KVAPISHEVSKII, /. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 47, 688 (1915), C. A., 9, 2511. 22 ZALKIND, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 47, 2045 (1915), C. A., 10, 1355. 28 ZALKIND and Miss MARKARYAN, /. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 48, 538 (1916), C. A., n, 584. 549 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 194 but sometimes it is independent of the amount of catalyst, contrary to all predictions. 549. The transformation of aldehydes and ketones into alcohols can be effected, but with difficulty. Benzaldehyde is partially reduced to benzyl alcohol. 2 * Phenyl-acetaldehyde is regularly hydrogenated to the correspond- ing alcohol. With hydrogen at one atmosphere pressure, phorone is hydro- genated to di-isobutyl-carbinol, but under half an atmosphere, the reduction stops at valerone 24 In acetic acid solution, mesityl oxide is hydrogenated to methyl- isobutyl-carbinol, but in alcohol, as stated above, the reaction stops at the ketone. 25 The saturated alcohol is also obtained by working under 5 atmospheres pressure. 24 550. Hydroxy-methylene derivatives containing the group )C : CHOH, are changed into methyl derivatives \CH . CH 3 . 26 551. Benzole acid furnishes hexahydrobenzoic 27 552. Carvone is transformed into tetrahydrocarvone. There is addition of hydrogen to the double bonds of pinene, which, under 2 atmospheres pressure, gives pinane, of camphene which passes to camphane, melting at 53, 28 of eucarvone, of a- and /3-terpineols, of thujone, of isothujone, of methylheptenone, of cyclohexenone, etc. 29 Likewise pulegone is changed to menthone. 553. Naphthalene is reduced to decahydronaphthalene. 30 554. Azobenzene, in alcohol solution under 2 atmospheres pres- sure of hydrogen, is reduced to hydrazobenzene in five minutes and then into aniline in 4.5 hours. Orange No. 3 is immediately de- colorized under these conditions. 30 The a- and /3-ionones are transformed into the odorless dihydro- and then into the tetrahydroionones. 31 555. Quinidine gives dihydroquinidine, melting at 165. Cin- chonidine adds H 2 to form the dihydro- melting at 229 . 32 Cin- chonine adds H 2 to form cinchotine 33 24 SKITA and RITTEB, Berichte 43, 3393 (1910). * SKITA, Berichte, 48, 1486 (1915). 28 KOTZ and SCHAEFFER, J. prakt. Chem. (2), 88, 604 (1913). 27 SKITA and MEYER, Berichte, 45, 3587 (1912). 28 SKITA and MEYER, Berichte, 45, 3579 (1912). 29 WALLACE, Annakn, 336, 37 (1904). " SKITA, Berichte, 45, 3312 (1912). 81 SKITA, MEYER and BERGEN, Berichte, 45, 3312 (1912). 82 SKITA and NORD, Berichte, 45, 3316 (1912). PAAL, German patent, 223,413. 195 DIRECT HYDROGENATIONS OF LIQUIDS 659 Pyridine is changed to piperidine and quinoline to decahydro- quinoline. 27 Diacetyl-morphine furnishes the dihydro- and pipeline, tetrahydropiperine. 28 Strychnine, dissolved in dilute nitric acid under 2 atmospheres pressure of hydrogen, gives the dihydro-, but under 3 atmospheres, tetrahydrostrychnine, while brucine always gives its dihydro-. 34 Colchicine furnishes tetrahydrocolchicine. 55 Egg lecithine, dissolved in absolute alcohol, gives hydrolecithine. Use of Colloidal Platinum 556. Colloidal platinum, prepared according to one of the methods given in Chapter II (67 to 71), can be substituted for colloidal palla- dium and gives results but little different. According to Paal and Gerum its activity is less. 37 According to Fokin, on the contrary, the platinum is three times as active and much more apt to hydrogenate the aromatic nucleus. 38 The velocity of the hydrogenation increases rapidly with the amount of the metal employed. 39 557. The reduction of mro-derivatives into amino- is readily carried out with nitrobenzene which gives aniline and with nitroacetophenone which yields aminoacetophenone. 40 558. The addition of hydrogen to double and triple bonds takes place easily even with many complex rings. Ethylene is transformed to ethane but less rapidly than by colloidal palladium, the action being proportional to the amount of platinum used. 41 Amylene is changed to pentane, oleic and linoleic acids into stearic and crotonic, maleic, aconitic, sorbic, citraconic, and itaconic acids are changed into the corresponding saturated acids, while allyl alcohol gives propyl alcohol. 39 Acetylene is reduced to a mixture of ethylene and ethane. 42 559. Heptaldehyde, hydrogenated by the aid of colloidal platinum prepared by the germ method, is changed to heptyl alcohol. 43 84 SKITA and PAAL, German patent, 230,724, C., 1911 (1), 522. 86 HOFFMANN LA ROCHE & Co., German patent, 279,999, C., 1914 (2), 1214. 36 PAAL and OEHME, Berichte, 46, 1297 (1913). 37 PAAL and GERUM, Berichte, 40, 2209 (1907) and 41, 2273 (1908). 88 FOKIN, /. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 40, 276 (1908). 89 FOKIN, Z. Angew. Chem., 22, 1492 (1909). 40 SKITA and MEYER, Berichte, 45, 3579 (1912). 41 PAAL and SCHWARZ, Berichte, 48, 994 (1915). 42 PAAL and SCHWARZ, Berichte, 48, 1202 (1915). 43 SKITA and MEYER, Berichte, 45, 3589 (1912). 560 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 196 a-Methyl-@-ethyl-propenal, treated in acetic acid solution, is changed completely into a-methyl-pentanoL Mesityl oxide, in water solution, goes to methyl-isobutyl-ketone, but in acetic acid solution, into methyl-isobutyl-carbinol. u 560. The aromatic nucleus is hydrogenated more or less readily. With the metal prepared by the germ method, benzene is transformed into cyclohexane. Toluene, in acetic acid solution under 2 atmospheres pressure, is changed to methyl-cyclohexane and benzoic acid into hexahydrobenzoic. 4 * Cinnamic aldehyde is transformed into phenylpropionic aldehyde in the cold. In acetic acid solution phenylpropyl alcohol is obtained mixed with a little propyl-benzene, while with a larger amount of the catalyst and a pressure of 3 atmospheres, cyclohexyl-propyl alcohol is obtained. Under the same conditions, in acetic acid solution, benzyl-aniline fur- nishes hexahydrobenzyl-aniline accompanied by cyclohexyl-amine and methyl-cyclohexane. 46 Phenylacetaldehyde gives the corresponding alcohol with a little ethyl-benzene, cyclohexanol, cyclohexanone, and cyclohexane. Benzaldehyde gives toluene and methyl-cyclohexane along with benzyl alcohol. Benzophenone yields dicyclohexyl-methane at 60. a and (3-Ionones, in acetic acid solution, furnish trimethyl-hy- droxybutylcyclohexane.* 7 Caryophyllene, Ci 5 H 2 4, adds H 2 in methyl alcohol solution. 43 561. With colloidal platinum, prepared with gum arabic, we can obtain piperidine from pyridine.^ The addition of 3H 2 takes place with various homologs of pyridine, hydrogenated in acetic acid solution under atmospheric pressure or under 2 or 3 atmospheres. 49 The pyridine-carbonic acids are transformed into piperidinic acids. 50 Quinoline gives, in turn, tetrahydro- and then decahydroquinoline. 415 Diacetyl-morphine adds H 2 and cinchonine yields hexahydrocincho- nine. bl 44 SKITA, Berichte, 48, 1486 (1915). 46 SKITA and MEYER, Berichte, 45, 3589 (1912). 4 SKITA, Berichte, 48, 1685 (1915). 47 SKITA, Berichte, 48, 1486 (1915). 48 DEUSSEN, Annalen, 388, 136 (1912). 49 SKITA and BRUNNER, Berichte, 49, 1597 (1916). 60 HESS and LIEBBRANDT, Berichte, 50, 385 (1917). 61 SKITA and BRUNNER, Berichte, 49, 1597 (1916). 197 DIRECT HYDROGENATIONS OF LIQUIDS 563 II. METHOD OF WILLSTATTER 562. The process consists in submitting to a current or to an un- limited amount of an atmosphere of hydrogen gas, the substance dissolved in a suitable vehicle and intimately mixed by means of con- stant agitation with the platinum or palladium black. It was employed first by Fokin, who transformed in this way olelc acid dissolved in ether into stearic acid by a current of hydrogen in the cold with palladium or platinum black as catalyst. 52 But Willstatter is the one who has generalized this method by applying it to various uses. Platinum black prepared according to the method of Loew (62) serves best. 53 Palladium black can also be used: it is prepared by reducing palladous chloride with formaldehyde in the presence of caus- tic soda. 54 But it is not so desirable as platinum black. The substance dissolved in ether or in any other inert solvent is treated with the platinum black and is put into a flask which is continu- ally agitated by a mechanical shaking machine and which communicates with a gasometer filled with hydrogen. According to circumstances, quite different amounts of platinum black are used, varying from 3 to 33% of the weight of the substance. Dilution of the material is not indispensable to the success of the method. Use of Platinum Black 563. Willstatter has called attention to this quite unexpected fact, that in certain cases hydrogenation by means of platinum black is not possible unless it has been previously charged with a certain pro- portion of oxygen. In most cases, platinum black containing oxygen or free from oxy gen may be used indifferently, as in the hydrogenation of benzene to cyclohexane; on the contrary, the hydrogenation of pyrrol requires platinum black absolutely free from oxygen. On the other hand, the decomposition of hydrazine demands that the platinum black that is to be used be previously aerated. 55 The aeration of the platinum black is indispensable for the hydro- genation in acetic acid solution of phthalic and naphthalic anhydrides and the reaction does not continue unless the apparatus is opened 61 FOKIN, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 39, 607 (1907). 63 Somewhat improved method WILLSTATTER and WALDSCHMIDT-LEITZ, Berichte 54, 121 (1921). E. E. R. 64 BRETEAU, Div. mtth. d'hydr. app. au Ph&nant, Paris, 1911, p. 25. 86 PURGOTTI and ZANICHELLI, Gaz. Chim. Ital, 34 (1), 57 (1904). 664 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 198 from time to time for the aeration of the black. Oxygen appears to play an active part in the hydrogenation which is indicated by the products obtained. For phthalic anhydride the products are, hexahy- /Ca\ drophthalid, CeHnw .O, o.hexahydrotoluic and hexahydrophthalic acids, and for naphthalic acid, tetrahydronaphthalid, hexahydronaph- thalid, decahydroacenaphthene, Ci 2 H 20 , and tetrahydro-methyl(l) naphtha- lene-carbonic acid (8). The influence of these anhydrides on the conditions of hydrogenation can effect even the hydrogenation of the dibasic acids themselves; the presence of the anhydrides prevents this from taking place unless the platinum be aerated. Isophthalic acid, which usually contains traces of the anhydride, can not be hydrogenated except with aerated platinum. 66 w 564. Nitro Compounds. The reduction of nitro or nitroso com- pounds to amino is readily effected by 1 eg. of platinum black to 1 g. of the material dissolved in ether or acetone. A few minutes are suf- ficient for complete reduction; thus p.nitrotoluene is changed to p.toluidine, l-nitrosonaphthol(@), into aminonaphthol. But the nitroso- terpenes are changed quantitatively into the corresponding hydrox- ylamines. 68 565. Ethylene Double Bonds. These are readily saturated. Amylene is changed to pentane. &-Nitrostyrene, dissolved in absolute alcohol or in glacial acetic acid, adds a single atom of hydrogen, two molecules combining 69 : CeHs . CH : CH . NO 2 C 6 H 5 . CH . CH 2 . NO 2 C 6 H 5 . CH : CH . N0 2 C 6 H 5 .*CH . CH 2 . N0 2 Olelc alcohol is readily transformed into octadecyl alcohol, ethyl oleate quantitatively into ethyl stearate, and crude alcohol into docosyl alcohol. 66 WILLSTATTER and JACQUBT, Berichte, 51, 767 (1918). 67 In a more recent article WILLSTATTER and WALDSCHMIDT-LEITZ [Berichte, 54, 113 (1920) ] show that the presence of oxygen in the platinum black is neces- sary in all cases. This oxygen is gradually used up by the hydrogen during the process of hydrogenation. With ethylene compounds the addition of the hydrogen is so extremely rapid that the desired hydrogenation may be accomplished before the catalyst becomes inactive by loss of its oxygen but if the hydrogenation is slow, the catalyst may require revivification by aeration at intervals during the process. In this respect palladium black and even nickel act similarly to platinum black. E. E. R. 68 CUSMANO, Lincei, 26 (2), 87 (1917). 69 SONN and SCHNELLEMBERG, Berichte, 50, 1913 (1917). 199 DIRECT HYDROGENATIONS OF LIQUIDS 567 Phytene, C 20 H 4 o, gives phytane, C 2 oH42; phytol, C 2 oH 39 OH, dihydro- phytol, C 2 oH 4 iOH, slowly but with a good yield. Geraniol (416) is hydrogenated only slowly and gives the corresponding saturated alco- hol at the end of several days. 60 Linalool furnishes 2, 6-dimethyl-octanol(6). 61 Safrol and isosafrol are hydrogenated in two hours to dihydrosafrol. Likewise eugenol and isoeugenol pass into isopropyl-guaiacol.* 2 Piperonal-acetone and dipiperonal-acetone are transformed into the saturated ketones. 63 Cholesterine, in ether solution with one third its weight of platinum black, is changed into dihydrocholesterine in two days. 64 Oleic acid gives stearic and ethyl oleate yields ethyl stearate.* 5 566. Acetylene Triple Bonds. The acetylene glycols of the formula, RR':C(OH).C C.C(OH) : RR', give the corresponding saturated glycols and also certain amounts of the alcohols, RR' :C(OH)CH 2 .- CH 2 .CH 2 : RR'. 64 Thus 2, 6-dimethyl-hexine(3)diol(2, 4) furnishes the saturated glycol. 66 Dimethyl-diethyl-butine-diol, which adds only H 2 with colloidal pal- ladium (548), takes up 2H 2 with platinum black. 67 Dimethyl-diphenyl-butine-diol can add H 2 and then 2H 2 by steps. 68 Octadi-ine-diol(l,8), HOH 2 C.C | C.CH 2 .CH 2 .C C.CH 2 OH, hy- drogenated at 70 in alcohol^ solution, gives a mixture of octane-diol (1, 8) and n.octyl alcohol. 69 Octadwne-dioic add, H0 2 C.C C.CH 2 .CH 2 .C ! C.C0 2 H, dissolved in a mixture of alcohol and ether, furnishes suberic acid in four days. 70 567. Aldehydes and Ketones. Aldehyde and ketone groups can be regularly transformed into the corresponding alcohol groups. Crotonic aldehyde, in anhydrous ether, is changed in eleven hours into a mixture of 70 % butyric aldehyde and 30 % butyl alcohol. 71 80 WILLSTATTER and MAYER, Berichte, 41, 1475 (1908). 81 BARBIER and LOCQUIN, Compt. rend., 158, 1555 (1914). 82 FOURNIER, Butt. Soc. Chim. (4), 7, 23 (1910). 63 VAVON and FAILLEBIN, Compt. rend., 169, 65 (1919). 84 WILLSTATTER and MAYER, Berichte, 41, 2199 (1908). 86 DUPONT, Compt. rend., 156, 1623 (1913). 88 ZALKIND, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 45, 1875 (1914), C. A., 8, 1419. 87 ZALKIND and Miss MARKARYAN, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 48, 538 (1916), C. A., 11, 584. 88 ZALKIND and KVAPISHEVSKH, /. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 47, 688 (1915), C. A., 9, 2511. 89 LESPIEAU, Compt. rend., 158, 1187 (1914). 70 LESPIEAU and VAVON, Compt. rend., 148, 1335 (1909). 71 FOURNIER, Bull. Soc. Chim. (4), 7, 23 (1910). 568 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 200 Acetone is changed to isopropyl alcohol in water solution and methyl- ethyl-ketone is changed into methyl-ethyl-carbinol in 12 hours. Diethyl and dipropyl-ketones are similarly reduced. The transformation into the alcohol is more readily effected with cyclopentanone dissolved in 5 volumes of ether, with cyclohexanone and with the meihyl-cyclohexanones. Mesityl oxide gives first methyl-isobutyl-ketone and then methyl- isobutyl-carbinol. In ether solution, phorone yields diisobutyl-ketone, while in acetic acid it gives diisobutyl-carbinol. Citral in ether solution gives a mixture of 2, 6-dimethyl-octane and 2, 6-dimethyl-octanol (S). 72 Menthone yields menthol and pulegone gives pulegomenthol. Carvone with 20 % of platinum black takes up in succession, H 2 , 2H 2 , 3H 2 to form carvotanacetone, tetrahydrocarwne and finally carvomenthol slowly. 74 568. Aromatic aldehydes are transformed almost quantitatively into alcohols, which is a valuable reaction since other methods give hydrocarbons (388). With 10 g. of black a gram molecule can be hydro- genated in a few hours. This can be done with benzaldehyde, methyl- salicylic, benzoyl-salicylic, and anisic aldehydes, vanilline and its methyl, ethyl, acetyl, and benzoyl derivatives, piperonal, which gives the alcohol melting at 54, and cinnamic aldehyde, which yields phenyl-propyl alcohol. 76 At 70 anisaldehyde gives anisalcohol but at 97 it is polymerized. On the contrary, acetophenone takes up 10 atoms of hydrogen at once to form ethyl-cyclohexane. 76 569. Aromatic Nucleus. Aromatic compounds are completely hydrogenated to cyclohexane derivatives on the condition that they are perfectly pure. Traces of impurities, particularly sulphur compounds, hinder the reaction. 77 Toluene and the xylenes are hydrogenated more readily than ben- zene, and higher homologs still more readily. Butyl-benzene, amyl- benzene, hexyl-benzene, octyl-benzene, etc., up to pentadecyl-benzene are readily changed in acetic acid solution into the corresponding cyclo- hexane derivatives. 78 Durene furnishes hexahydrodurene. 72 VAVON, Ann. Chim. (9), i, 144 (1914). 78 VAVON, Compi. rend., 155, 287 (1912). 74 VAVON, Compt. rend., 153, 68 (1911). 76 Vavon, Compt. rend., 154, 359 (1912). 76 VAVON, Compt. rend., 155, 287 (1912). 77 WILLSTATTBE and HATT, Berichte, 45, 1471 (1912). 78 HALSE, J. prakt. Chem. (2), 92, 40 (1915). 201 DIRECT HYDROGENATIONS OF LIQUIDS 570 Styrene gives ethyl-cyclohexane ; 79 and phenol, cyclohexanol. 71 Eugenol adds 4H 2 to form propyl-methoxy-cyclohexanol.* Aniline produces chiefly dicyclohexyl-amine with only 10 % of cyclo- hexyl-amine. Chlortoluene is transformed into methyl-chlorcyclohexane. 77 In ether solution, benzoic acid is slowly changed to hexahydrobenzoic acid without intermediate products. 81 In acetic acid solution, p.aminobenzoic acid is quantitatively reduced to p.aminocyclohexane-carbonic acid and hydroxybenzoic acid is similarly hydrogenated. 82 We have seen above (563) that phthalic anhydride can be hydro- genated by means of platinum black aerated from time to time. The ordinary method serves well for phthalimide which gives as the sole product, hexahydrophthalimide : 83 CH 2 .CH 2 .CH 2 .C(X ;NH. CH 2 .CH 2 .CH 2 .CO/ 570. Terpenes. Limonene, in ether solution with 25 % of its weight of platinum, adds H 2 in 30 minutes in the cold to form carvomenthene, boiling at 175, and then an additional H 2 in 65 minutes to form menthane.^ Pinene, 500 g. with 15 g. platinum, absorbs hydrogen rapidly, 60 1. per hour at the start, and at the end of 24 hours is entirely transformed into dihydropinene, boiling at 166 (477). Camphene gives a solid dihydrocamphene melting at 87. 8B a-Thujene, Ci Hi 6 , which by the method of Sabatier and Senderens yields menthane (478), is totally transformed by platinum black and hydrogen under 25 to 50 atmospheres in two days into thujane, CioHig, boiling at 157, the inner ring remaining intact. Similar transforma- tions take place with /3-thujene and with sabinene.* 6 Isoamyl-carvol adds 2H 2 to give the corresponding saturated alcohol. 87 The sesquiterpenes, Ci 5 H 24 , as well as their ketone and alcohol derivatives, add 4 or 6 atoms of hydrogen. 79 WILLSTATTER and KING, Berichte, 46, 527 (1913). 80 MADINAVEITIA and BLANES, Soc. Espan. Fis. Quim., 10, 381 (1913), C. A., 7, 3500. 81 WILLSTATTER and MAYER, Berichte, 41, 1475 (1908). 82 HOUBEN and PEAU, Berichte, 49, 2294 (1916). 83 WILLSTATTER AND JACQUET, Berichte, $i, 767 (1918). 84 VAVON, Bull. Soc. Chim. (4), 15, 282 (1914). 85 VAVON, Compt. rend., 149, 997 (1909) and 152, 1675 (1911). 86 TCHOUGAEFF and FOMIN, Compt. rend., 151, 1058 (1910). 87 SEMMLER, JONAS and OELSNER, Berichte, 50, 1838 (1917). 671 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 202 Thus isozingiberene** eudesmene* 9 and ferulene,* take up 2H 2 . The same is true of doremone, d 5 H 2 6O, which gives tetrahydrodoremone with- out alteration of the ketone group and of doremol which forms the sat- urated alcohol. Farnesol, Ci 5 H 26 O adds 3H 2 . 90 Betulol, CisH^O, adds 2H 2 to form the alcohol, Ci 5 H 28 0, when it is hydrogenated in anhydrous ether solution. 91 571. Complex Rings. Cyclo-octenone is changed to cyclo-octanone by 10% of its weight of black. Cyclo-octatriene and cyclo-odatetrene, CH:CH.CH:CH > are transformed into cyclo-octane. 92 CH:CH.CH:CH In the hydrogenation of the latter, the first three H 2 are fixed with about the same velocity, while the last H 2 is added only about half so fast. 93 Naphthalene adds hydrogen rapidly to form the dihydro- and then the tetrahydro- and finally, more slowly, decahydro-naphthalene** Phenanthrene, dissolved in ether, gives dihydro-phenanthrene (melt- ing at 94), in two days in the cold, or in 8 hours at the boiling point of the ether. 95 However, Breteau failed to obtain any hydrogenation in cyclohexane solution. 96 Santonine yields tetrahydro-santonine when hydrogenated in glacial acetic acid. 97 Sodium santonate takes up the same amount of hydrogen to form sodium tetrahydrosantonate. 98 Pyrrol adds 2H 2 to form pyrrolidine." Indol, in glacial acetic acid, yields octahydro-indol, an alkaline liquid with a disagreeable odor boiling at 182, accompanied by a little dihydro-indol. 100 572. Quinine sulphate is completely hydrogenated in dilute sul- phuric acid solution by hydrogen under a pressure of more than an atmosphere to dihydroquinine sulphate, the hydrogenation being con- 88 SEMMLER and BECKER, Berichte, 46, 1814 (1913). 89 SEMMLER and RISSE, Berichte, 46, 2303 (1913). 90 SEMMLER, JONAS and ROENISCH, Berichte, 50, 1823 (1917). 91 SEMMLER, JONAS and RICHTER, Berichte, 51, 417 (1918). 92 WILLSTATTER and WASER, Berichte, 44, 3434 (1911). 93 WILLSTATTER and HEIDELBERGER, Berichte, 46, 517 (1913). 94 WILLSTATTER and HATT, Berichte, 45, 1471 (1912). WILLSTATTER and KING, Ibid., 46, 527 (1913). 96 SCHMIDT and FISCHER, Berichte, 41, 4225 (1908). 96 BRETEAU, Meth. d'hydrog. app. au Phenant, Paris, 1911, p. 20. 97 ASAHINA, Berichte, 46, 1775 (1913). 98 CUSMANO, Lincei, 22, 507 (1913). 99 WILLSTATTER and HATT, Berichte, 45, 1371 (1912). 100 WILLSTATTER and JACQUET, Berichte, 51, 767 (1918). 203 DIRECT HYDROGENATIONS OF LIQUIDS 575 tinued till the solution does not decolorize potassium permanganate. 101 Dihydromorphine and dihydrocode'ine can be obtained in the same way. 102 Use of Palladium Black 573. The use of palladium black 103 immersed in the liquid appears to be usually less advantageous than the use of platinum black. How- ever, it has led to some remarkable results, such as the reduction of carbonates to formates. 574. Reduction without Addition of Hydrogen. The most important reaction is the synthesis of formates by the reduction of bicarbonates: KHC0 3 + H 2 = HC0 2 K + H 2 0. This requires a high pressure and a temperature around 70. In a silver plated bomb, 10 g. potassium bicarbonate, 200 cc. water, and 1 . 5 g. palladium black are placed with hydrogen at 60 atmospheres. After heating for 24 hours to 70, 74 . 7 % of the salt is changed to formate. The reaction takes place without catalyst, but extremely slowly, only 0.6 % of formate being produced in 24 hours. The potassium bicarbonate can be replaced by sodium borate, the bomb then being filled with equal volumes of carbon dioxide and hy- drogen under 60 atmospheres. 104 The reaction can be carried out without the presence of the alkali salt, by maintaining a mixture of carbon dioxide and hydrogen under high pressure in the presence of water and palladium black. By working at 20 and under a pressure of 110 atmospheres a 1 % solution of formic acid is obtained. 105 575. Reduction of Acid Chlorides. Another reaction which is peculiar to palladium black is the reduction of add chlorides to aldehydes : R.COC1 + H 2 = R.CHO + HC1. The acid chloride, dissolved in a hydrocarbon, is submitted to hy-< drogenation in the presence of palladium black precipitated on barium sulphate. Benzoyl chloride gives benzaldehyde with a yield of 97%; butyryl 101 VEREIN, CHININPABR. ZIMMER & Co., English patent 3,948 of 1912. 102 German patent 260,233. 103 Preparation WILLSTATTER and WALDSCHMIDT-LEITZ, Berichte, 54, 123 (1921). E. E. R. 104 BREDIG and CARTER, Berichte, 47, 541 (1914). 105 BREDIG and CARTER, English patent, 9,762 of 1915; /. S. C. /., 34, 1207 (1915). 676 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 204 chloride furnishes 50 % of the aldehyde and stearyl chloride is reduced to its aldehyde. 105 576. Nitro Compounds. The reduction of nitro to amino com- pounds is difficult to carry out with palladium, but nitrobenzene does give aniline on prolonged contact with an excess of hydrogen and palladium black in alcohol solution. 107 577. Ethylene and Acetylene Bonds. Olelc acid, in ether solution, is slowly transformed to stearic acid, the reduction being rapid when it is carried on at a higher temperature and with hydrogen under pres- sure. The same is true for the esters of ole'ic acid and this is the basis for the industrial use of palladium black in the hardening of liquid fats (946). /CH 2 Vinyl-trimethylene, CH 2 :CH.CH( , treated in the cold with X CH 2 hydrogen under 35 atmospheres in the presence of palladium chloride, which is reduced, yields ethyl-trimethylene. 108 The acetylene glycols of the type, RR' : C(OH).C \ C.C(OH) : RR', yield mainly the saturated hydrocarbons, RR' : CH.CH 2 .CH 2 - CH : RR'. 109 Eugenol stops with the formation of dihydroeugenol, 110 the ring not being hydrogenated as with platinum black (569). 578. Aromatic Nucleus. The hydrogenation of the aromatic nu- cleus is not usually effected by palladium black, but the hydrogenation of hexahydroxybenzene to inosite at 50-55 may be mentioned. The inosite formed melts at 218 as does natural inosite. 111 579. Phenanthrene is hydrogenated, in cyclohexane solution, by half its weight of the black to tetrahydrophenanthrene. 112 Use of other Metals of Platinum Group 580. Ruthenium Black. The black prepared by formaldehyde and ruthenium chloride solution has a catalytic activity inferior to that of platinum. If 0.05 g. of this black is added to 0.5 g. cinnamic acid in 2 cc. glacial acetic acid, phenyl-propionic acid is formed in 8 hours without 106 ROSENMUND, Berichte, 51, 585 (1918). 107 GERUM, Inaug. Dissertation, Erlangen, 1908. 108 FILIPPOV, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 44, 469 (1912). 109 DUPONT, Compt. rend., 156, 1623 (1913). 110 MADINAVEITIA and BLANES, Soc. Espan. Fis. Quim., 10, 381 (1913), C. A., 7, 3500. 111 WIELAND and WISHORT, Berichte, 47, 2082 (1914). 112 BRETEAU, Div. meth. hydrog., Paris, 1911, p. 26. 205 DIRECT HYDROGENATIONS OF LIQUIDS 583 the ring being attacked. Toluene, dissolved in acetic acid and sub- jected to hydrogenation for 8 hours, is not affected. 113 581. Rhodium Black. Rhodium black is more active than ruthe- nium. Under the conditions given above, cinnamic acid is transformed into phenyl-propionic in 3 hours and into cyclohexyl-propionic in 15 hours. Toluene can be hydrogenated to hexahydrotoluene in 12 hours by 10% of its weight of the black. 113 582. Indium Black. This black prepared by reducing the chloride by sodium formate, has an activity entirely analogous to that of ruthe- nium black (580). 113 583. Osmium Black. This black, prepared by reducing osmic anhydride by formic acid, does not effect any hydrogenation of cin- namic acid in 5 hours. 113 Osmium dioxide has been mentioned as able to hydrogenate oils when used to the amount of 0.5 %, 114 but it is certain that it acts after it is reduced to the metal which is the true catalyst. 118 113 MADINAVEITIA, Soc. Espan. Fis. Quim., n, 328 (1913). "* LEHMANN, Arch. Pharm., 251, 152 (1913), C. A., 8, 586 (1914). "* NORMAN and SCHICK, Arch. Pharm., 252, 208 (1914). CHAPTER XII HYDROGENATIONS (Continued) DIRECT HYDROGENATION OF LIQUIDS IN CONTACT WITH METAL CATALYSTS (Continued) III. METHOD OF IPATIEF 584. THIS method consists in warming the substance to be hy- drogenated in contact with nickel or nickel oxide and hydrogen com- pressed to at least 100 atmospheres in a very strong container. The hydrogenation velocity is greater when the oxide is used, which Ipatief attributes to the real catalytic power of the oxide. As we have seen above (80), catalytic power appears to belong exclusively to the metal; since the temperature is always above 250, the nickel oxide must at least in part be reduced to the metal which is more active than the metal prepared in advance and which has been subjected to incandes- cence more or less intense while being introduced into the container, being thereby agglomerated and reduced in catalytic power. The nickel is frequently replaced by copper, copper oxide, iron or palladium, or even by zinc powder. 585. Apparatus. The apparatus used for all of this work consists of a soft steel tube lined with copper, holding 250 to 275 cc. and capa- ble of sustaining 600 atmospheres at 600. 1 It is heated electrically by a nickel resistance wire. Changes of pressure are shown by a manom- eter. If the apparatus has been filled with hydrogen at a certain pressure, the pressure increases according to the rise of temperature, if there is no absorption of hydrogen or evolution of gas, but less rapidly if there is absorption of hydrogen, while if there is decompo- sition with evolution of gas, the pressure increases more rapidly and this increase measures the rate of decomposition. The material of which the apparatus is constructed appears to influence the results in some way. Thus in a bronze tube the use of reduced copper as catalyst did not effect the complete hydrogenation of the aromatic nucleus, while this was realized in an iron apparatus. 2 1 IPATIEF, Berichte, 37, 2961 (1904). J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 36, 786 (1904), C., 1904 (2), 1020. * IPATLBF, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 42, 1557 (1910). 206 207 LIQUIDS IN CONTACT WITH METAL CATALYSTS 587 Use of Nickel In order to carry out a hydrogenation, about 25 g. of the material to be hydrogenated is placed in the apparatus with 2 to 3 g. nickel oxide (NiO or Ni 2 3 ) and hydrogen is admitted to 100 atmospheres at which pressure it holds about one gram molecule of hydrogen. The temperature of heating may reach 400 -or even 600 and the resulting pressure may be 2.5 or 3 times the original, i.e. 250 to 300 atmos- pheres. The necessity of having an expensive apparatus and the real dangers of its use are against the general employment of the method of Ipatief , which is not superior to the method of Sabatier and Sender- ens except in special cases where the slowness of hydrogenation or the need of high pressures requires its use. Most organic substances give the same products by both methods. 586. Formation of Methane. The direct hydrogenation of carbon in the presence of nickel, oxide of nickel, or nickel oxide and alumina, does not take place below 600 under moderate pressures of hydrogen, but under very high pressures, methane is produced above 500, the amount increasing with rise of temperature. The reduction of carbon dioxide to methane which takes place in- completely at 450 under ordinary pressure, is not more complete at high pressures even with an excess of hydrogen. 3 587. Ethylene Double Bonds. The hydrogenation of substances containing ethylene bonds is readily effected. Olelc acid heated a long time at 100 with finely divided nickel and hydrogen at 25 atmospheres is not affected, but under 60 atmos- pheres pressure it is changed to stearic acid in 12 hours. Liquid fats are transformed to solid.* 50 g. cottonseed oil with 3 g. nickel oxide at 220-230 with hydrogen at 60 atmospheres gave in 4 hours a fat with iodine number (938) of only 11, while at ordinary pressures this result was obtained only at 255. 05 6 Dimethyl-allyl-carbinol is changed to dimethyl-propyl-carbinol under the same conditions. At 140 to 150, mesityl oxide gives methyl-isobutyl-ketone mixed with a little of the corresponding alcohol. Cyclohexene is reduced to cyclohexane. 8 IPATIEF, J. prakt. Chem. (2), 87, 479 (1913). 4 FOKIN, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 38, 419 and 855 (1906). 6 IPATIEF, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 46, 302 (1914). 6 With high speed stirring this reduction can be accomplished in about the same time with 0.1 g. nickel on infusorial earth with hydrogen at atmospheric pres- sure at 180. E. E. R. 688 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 208 588. Aldehydes and Ketones. The transformation of aliphatic aldehydes and ketones into the alcohols can be accomplished, but it is limited by the inverse reaction of dehydrogenation especially when the temperature exceeds 200 to 250. Isobutyric and isovaleric aldehydes are partly reduced to the corre- sponding alcohols at 250 and 100 atmospheres. At 250 acetone is completely changed to isopropyl alcohol and the same is true of various aliphatic ketones at around 200. At about 280 the hydrogenation is limited by the inverse reaction which in- creases with elevation of temperature. From 300 to 325 acetone no longer gives any alcohol since isopropyl alcohol is decomposed into water, propane and lower saturated hydrocarbons, especially methane. 7 Laevulose in solution is transformed, at 130 under 100 atmos- pheres, to a-mannite, glucose into sorbite, and galactose into dulcite. 589. Aromatic Nucleus. The hydrogenation of the aromatic nu- cleus is realized in all cases. Benzene is totally changed to cyclohexane in 1.5 hours at 250 with 8% nickel oxide. Nickel sesquioxide gives better results than the monoxide. At 300 the cyclohexane produced does not remain but is decomposed into benzene, methane and carbon. 8 At 250 diphenyl is reduced to dicyclohexyl and dibenzyl to dicyclo- hexylethane. At 245 phenol is transformed in 14 hours to cyclohexanol accompan- ied by some cyclohexane. At 200 hydroquinone gives quinite. 9 The product is a mixture of the cis and trans forms, but the yield is poor, as most of the diphenol goes into resinous products. 10 At 230 under 100 atmospheres, phenyl oxide gives in 12 hours a mixture of cyclohexyl oxide, cyclohexanol and cyclohexane. 11 Anisol, C 6 H 5 OCH 3 , in 24 hours at 240 under 100 atmospheres, gives 40% hexahydroanisol accompanied by cyclohexanol and cyclo- hexane. Guaiacol, o.HO.C 6 H 4 .OCH 3 , in 12 to 15 hours at 220 to 240 and 100 atmospheres, yields hexahydroguaiacol with cyclohexanol and a little cyclohexane. 12 7 IPATIBP, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 38, 75 (1906) and 39, 681 (1907), C. A., i, 2877. Berichte, 40, 1270 (1907). 8 IPATIEP, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 39, 681-693 (1907), C. A., i, 2877 and 2878. 9 IPATIEF, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 38, 75 (1906) C., 1906, (2), 86. Berichte, 40, 1281 (1907). 10 IPATIEP and LOUVOQOI, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 46, 470 (1914). 11 IPATIEP and PHILIPOW, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 40, 501 (1908), C., 1908 (2), 1098. IPATIEP, Berichte, 41, 993 (1908). 12 IPATIEP and LOUVOQOI, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 46, 470 (1914). 209 LIQUIDS IN CONTACT WITH METAL CATALYSTS 590 590. The hydrogenation of phenols having unsaturated side chains is accomplished in two steps. At 95 and 30 to 50 atmospheres, only the side chain is attacked but by raising the temperature to 185 to 200, the nucleus is also hydrogenated. Thus, anethol. p . CH 3 . C 6 H 4 . CH :CH.CH 3 , with 10% nickel at 95 and 50 atmospheres is transformed completely in 4 hours to methoxy-propyl-benzene, but 20 hours at 200 produce propyl-cyclo- hexane, the methoxy group being reduced to water and methane. Likewise eugenol, H3C(HO)C 6 H3.CH 2 CH : CH 2 , and isoeugenol, H S C(HO)C 6 H 3 .CH :CH.CH 3 , furnish methoxy-propyl-phenol in 2 or 3 hours at 29, while at 195 in 7 hours, the chief product is methoxy- propyl-cyclohexane, H 3 CO C 6 H 10 C 3 H 7 , the phenol group being elim- inated. The methyl ether of eugenol adds only H 2 at 95, but in 10 hours at 210, the same product is obtained as from eugenol. Safrol and isosafrol are not hydrogenated at ordinary pressure at 140 to 160 with constant agitation for 5 hours, but under 50 atmos- pheres at 93, dihydrosafrol, boiling at 228, is obtained in 2 hours. In 10 to 12 hours at 180, a product is obtained boiling at 207 which appears to be methoxy-propyl-cyclohexane. 13 By 50 hours heating at 220 under 115 atmospheres, aniline gives 40 to 50 % of cyclohexyl-amine, about 10 % dicyclohexyl-amine and some cyclohexyl-aniline. 14 Diphenyl-amine yields dicyclohexyl-amine. 15 Benzaldehyde, at 200, gives toluene and methyl-cyclohexane, 16 while at 280 in 12 hours, toluene, dibenzyl and resinous products are obtained. 14 Aromatic ketones act as they do in Sabatier's process (389) and yield hydrocarbons, benzophenone going into diphenyl-methane and benzo'ine into dibenzyl. 16 17 Ipatief s process is useful for the hydrogenation of aromatic acids, but it is not well to use the free acids which attack the nickel nor the esters which give poor results (ethyl terephthalate is decom- posed into ethyl p.toluate, methane and carbon dioxide), but the alkaline salts. Thus potassium benzoate gives 40 % of the hexahydro- benzoate at 280 in 9 hours and sodium benzoate is even more readily hydrogenated. IPATIEF, Berichte, 46, 3589 (1913). 14 IPATIEF, Berichte, 41, 993-1001 (1908). 15 IPATIEF, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc. 40, 491 (1908), C., 1908 (2), 1098. 18 IPATIEF, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 38, 75 (1906), C., 1906 (2), 86. 17 IPATIEF, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 38, 75 (1906) and 39, 693 (1907), C. A., i, 2877. 691 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 210 Potassium phthalate gives the hexahydrophthalate at 300 in good yield. 18 Sodium cinnamate gives the cydohexyl-propionate at 300 under 100 atmospheres. 19 591. Terpenes. Terpene compounds undergo the regular trans- formations. 20 Limonene is transformed into dihydrolimonene and then into men- thane at 300-320 under 120 atmospheres. At 265 pinene gives pinane and menthane at 300. At 240, in 10 to 15 hours, camphene furnishes an isocamphane melting at 57 and boiling at 162.5. At 280, under 120-130 atmospheres, carwne passes into carwmen- thone. At 220, pulegone gives menthone, which at 280 is mixed with menthane. Camphor is completely changed into borneol at 350. 592. Various Rings. At 250 under 120 atmospheres, naphthalene gives, in turn, tetrahydro- and decahydro-naphthalene. The a- and /3-naphthols are changed to a- and j3-decahydronaphthols, melting at 57 and 99 respectively. 21 Anthracene, submitted to repeated hydrogenations at 260-270 under 100 to 125 atmospheres for 10 to 16 hours, gives in succession, tetrahydro-, decahydro- (m.73) and finally perhydroanthracene (m.88) and at the same time is partially destroyed. At 400, phenanthrene gives better results, the dihydro- and then the tetrahydro- being obtained and, by a second operation, the octa- hydro- and perhydrophenanthrene with the odor of caoutchouc. 22 Quinoline first yields tetrahydroquinoline and then, almost quantita- tively, decahydroquinoline. 23 Use of Iron 593. At 350-400, iron transforms aliphatic aldehydes and ketones into the alcohols. Acetone, at 400 and 103 atmospheres in 20 hours yields 25 % of isopropyl alcohol. Isobutyric aldehyde gives 75 % of the corresponding alcohol at 350, but acetaldehyde is partly resinified and partly decomposed into carbon monoxide and methane. 18 IPATIEF and PHILIPOW, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 40, 501 (1908), C., 1908 (2), 1098. IPATIEF, Berichte, 41, 993 (1908). 19 IPATIEF, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 41, 1414 (1909). 20 IPATIEF, Berichte, 43, 3546 (1910). IPATIEF and MATOW, Berichte, 45, 3205 (1912). 21 IPATIEF, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 39, 693 (1907), C. A., i, 2877. Berichte, 40, 1281 (1907). 22 IPATIEF, JAKOWLEW and RAKITIN, Berichte, 41, 996 (1908). 28 IPATIEF, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 40, 491 (1908), C., 1908 (2), 1098. 211 LIQUIDS IN CONTACT WITH METAL CATALYSTS 595 The hydrogenation of the aromatic nucleus does not take place, even at 420, but cyclohexane is brought back to benzene. 24 At 280 benzaldehyde gives a mixture of toluene and dibenzyl. The same result is obtained when benzyl alcohol is hydrogenated at 350 and 96 atmos- pheres. 25 Use of Copper 594. Copper, or copper oxide (certainly reduced to the metal), readily permits the hydrogenation of ethylene bonds at 300 to 350 under 100 to 200 atmospheres, but when used alone does not effect the hydrogenation of the benzene ring. 26 Sodium cinnamate is changed to the phenyl-propionate* 1 Unsaturated side chains of phenols are saturated at 270 to 300 without modification of the nucleus. 28 Acetone yields 65% of isopropyl alcohol at 280-300. Pinene is transformed to pinane, while camphene gives two hy- drides, a solid melting at 66 and a liquid boiling; at 162 . 29 The sodium salts of the two naphthalic acids act differently when hydrogenated with copper at 300 under 100 atmospheres. The a acid furnishes tetrahydronaphthalene directly, while the /3 leads first to the tetrahydro-naphthalic acid and then to decahydronaphthalene. 27 Use of Other Metals 595. Zinc powder can cause the reduction of acetone to the alcohol with a yield of 50 %. By using palladium, reduced from the chloride by formates, in the proportion of 1 g. to 30 g. of the substance to be hydrogenated under 110 atmospheres at 110, methyl-ethyl-acrole'ine, C 2 H 6 .CH :CH(.CH 3 )- CHO, is transformed in 2 or 3 days to methyl-pentanol. Mesityl oxide is changed in 2 days at 110 to methyl-isobutyl-ketone. By continuous shaking at 110, citral is reduced to the decanol with a little of the decane. The same may be said of geraniol. Acetyl-acetone, under 116 atmospheres at 109 is changed to pen- tanediol in six hours. Carbohydrates dissolved in aqueous alcohol are changed to the 24 IPATIEF, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 38, 75 (1906) and 39, 681 (1907), C. A., i, 2877. 26 IPATIEF, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 40, 489 (1908), C., 1908 (2), 1098. 26 IPATIEF, Berichte, 43, 3387 (1910). 27 IPATIEF, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 41, 1414 (1909). 28 IPATIEF, Berichte, 46, 3589 (1913). 29 IPATIEF and DRACHUSSOF, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 42, 1563 (1911), C., 1911 (1), 1292. 596 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 212 corresponding hexites at 110 under 100 atmospheres. Laevulose yields mannite, glucose goes into sorbite and galactose into dulcite. IV. HYDROGENATIONS BY NICKEL IN LIQUID SYSTEMS UNDER LOW PRESSURES 596. Very extensive use has been made of the common metals, particularly nickel, for hydrogenation in liquid medium in the case of liquid fats the molecules of which contain ethylene bonds. The de- scription of the methods followed and the results obtained is the special object of the last chapter but the same process can be generalized and extended to a large number of cases. The fundamental condition of success is a sufficiently energetic agitation in the hydrogen. A pressure of several atmospheres is useful but not indispensable, the hydrogena- tion being capable of being carried out with even reduced pressure. Simply bubbling the hydrogen through the liquid is not sufficient. Brochet has tried to define exactly the conditions for using this method. 31 597. Apparatus. Different forms of apparatus may be used according to the amount of the work to be done and the magnitude of the pressure to be used. The pressures run from 1 to 50 atmospheres, being usually around 10 to 15. A red copper autoclave of 1200 cc. capacity, which can operate satisfactorily with 700 to 800 cc. of liquid, may be used. The bronze cover is fitted accurately and made tight with lead foil packing, being held in place by screw clamps. It is fitted with a thermometer-well dipping into the liquid, a pressure gauge, and a valve for the intro- duction of the hydrogen. The apparatus is heated electrically by a ferro-nickel coil insulated by asbestos and surrounded by sheet asbestos to keep the heat in. After the introduction of the liquid to be hydro- genated, either alone or in solution, and the addition of the catalyst, the autoclave is closed and connected with the hydrogen tank which is placed along side on the platform of a mechanical shaker. When the operation is finished, the catalyst is filtered off and may frequently be used immediately for another hydrogenation. 32 Brochet uses a 500 cc. glass cylinder connected with a hydrogen tank by means of a bubble counter which measures the amount of hy- drogen absorbed, and enables one to follow the course of the reaction. 30 IPATIEF, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 44, 1002, and 1710 (1912); C. A., 7, 1171, and Berichte, 45, 3218 (1913). 11 BROCHET, Butt. Soc. Chim. (4), 13, 197 (1913) and 15, 554 (1914). 82 A convenient laboratory apparatus with high speed stirring has been de- scribed by REID, J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 37, 2112 (1915). E. E. R. 213 LIQUIDS IN CONTACT WITH METAL CATALYSTS 698 598. Catalysts. The nickel used is prepared by reducing at about 300 the oxide prepared by calcining the carbonate, nitrate or oxalate. After cooling in a current of hydrogen, the reduced metal is plunged quickly into the liquid to be hydrogenated, avoiding contact with the air as much as possible. The nickel may be used alone as a metal powder or incorporated with inert materials such as infusorial earth, pumice, or charcoal (126). This incorporation with a carrier is advantageous and gives, on re- duction at 450, a catalyst which is more active than the metal alone reduced at 350, and a fortiori more active than the metal alone reduced at 450 . 33 Nickel on a carrier is much less sensitive to toxic agents than nickel alone. Thus for the metal alone, the amount of hydrogen sul- phide required to kill the catalyst is 0.02-0.005 g. to 0.5 g. of the catalyst, according to the method of preparation, but may be as high as 0.1 g. for the metal on a porous support. 34 We have seen (584) that Ipatief has found it advantageous with his method to use an oxide of nickel, such as NiO or Ni 2 3 , in place of the metal, and that he considers the oxide more active. The same substitution has been proposed for the hydrogenation of oils (943), in which the oxides should show a greater activity and should be less susceptible to the action of poisons, particularly sulphur. 35 But in all cases the activity of the oxide may be explained by assuming that it is partially reduced to the metallic state, the metal being more active on account of being formed within the liquid and in a better state of subdivision. This is the opinion of Brochet, who considers the presence of the free metal necessary for hydrogenation but thinks that it is activated by the presence of foreign substances, such as its oxide, or salts or even other metals. 36 The presence of metallic nickel in the oxide which is used as cat- alyst has been denied by Erdmann, who bases his conclusion on the absence of conductivity in the catalyst after it has been freed from fatty material. At any rate, it is well established that at the temperature at which the hydrogenation of oils is carried on, nickel oxide is reduced to the suboxide, NuO, which is necessarily slowly reduced at these same temperatures to the free metal, the presence of which is easily shown by the direct formation of nickel carbonyl by the action of carbon KELBER, Berichte, 49, 55, (1916). 34 KELBER, Berichte, 49, 1868 (1916). 15 BEDFORD and ERDMANN, /. prakt. Chem. (2), 87, 425 (1913). * BROCKET, Bull. Soc. Chim. (4), 15, 770 (1914). 699 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 214 monoxide below 100 . 37 Meigen and Bartels, 38 Norman and Pungs, 39 and later Frerichs, who found an appreciable conductivity in the oxide which had served for the hydrogenation of oil, 40 have come to the same conclusion, that is, that the oxide is inactive in hydrogenation, the activity belonging only to the free metal. Erdmann has claimed that the most active factor in hydrogenation is a suboxide, such as Ni 2 O, which would form an unstable hydride /NiH with hydrogen, e.g. CX , which is capable of transferring hydro- \NiH gen to the molecules which can take it up. This special aptitude of the suboxide has been claimed by Senderens and Aboulenc, according to whom acetone can be hydrogenated at 110 under 30 atmospheres pressure by the suboxide but not by the metal. 41 The amount of catalyst may be as low as 0.5 % of the liquid to be hydrogenated, but it is better to use larger amounts in order to hasten the reaction. 42 599. Method of Work. It is best to operate at least 20 below the boiling point of the liquid used as solvent so that its vapor will not dilute the hydrogen too much. If substances are hydrogenated with- out solvent, 100 to 150 is the usual range of temperatures but some- times from 150 to 200. Alcohol, more or less diluted, and acetic acid are the most favor- able solvents. Benzene, acetone, ether, and ethyl acetate are not so good, while chloroform is rather harmful. 43 The course of the reaction is easily followed, either by the pres- sure gauge or by the bubble counter, which shows directly the volume absorbed. This enables one to see at what temperature the reaction goes best. 600. Results Obtained. Nitro derivatives are readily changed to the corresponding amines. Azo and hydroazo compounds are split into two amines; but by operating in the presence of caustic soda which moderates the action of the catalyst, it is possible to obtain azoxy, azo, hydrazo and finally amino from aromatic nitro compounds. 44 87 SABATIER and ESPIL, Compt. rend., 158, 674 (1914). 38 MEIGEN and BARTELS, J. prakt. Chem. (2), 89, 296 (1914). 39 NORMAN and PUNGS, Chem. Zeit., 39, 29 (1915), C. A., 9, 1552. 40 FRERICHS, Arch. Pharm., 253, 512 (1915). 41 SENDERENS and ABOULENC, Bull. Soc. Chim. (4), 17, 14 (1915). 42 In hydrogenating cotton seed oil, 0.1 % nickel on a carrier is ample and even 0.01 % gives fair results. E. E. R. 43 KELBER, Berichte, 49, 55 (1916). 44 BROCHET, Bull. Soc. Chim. (4), 15, 554 (1914). 215 LIQUIDS IN CONTACT WITH METAL CATALYSTS 601 601. Ethylene Double Bonds. These are easily saturated at low temperatures, even in the cold, with the evolution of heat. A mixture of ethylene, with hydrogen in excess, is changed to ethane by being passed at atmospheric pressure through a saturated hydro- carbon in which a nickel catalyst is kept in suspension by rapid stirring. 45 a-Octene, treated in alcohol solution with 20 % of active nickel and hydrogen at 15 atmospheres, is completely changed to octane in the cold. This can be accomplished under atmospheric pressure but takes much longer. 46 Ole'ic acid is reduced to stearic acid at 250 with a velocity which is nearly proportional to the pressure of the hydrogen. 47 The aliphatic esters of ole'ic acid are transformed into stearic esters. The salt formed by combining hot oleic acid with aniline is rapidly hydrogenated to a brittle solid melting at 76. 48 Cinnamic acid, in twice its weight of amyl alcohol, is completely changed to phenylpropionic in 45 minutes by 10% of nickel at 100 under 15 atmospheres. The fact that the acid attacks the nickel does not hinder the reaction. However, it is better to use sodium cinnamate in 4 parts of water, which is hydrogenated in the cold. Methyl cinnamate, dissolved in methyl alcohol, is changed to methyl phenylpropionate 49 in the cold in 3 hours under 15 atmospheres pres- sure. Under ordinary pressure the action is much slower, the reduc- tion of ethyl cinnamate requiring 7 hours at 70. 50 Anethol, CH 3 O . C 6 H 4 . CH : CH . CH 3 , is rapidly transformed into methoxy-propyl-benzene when treated without solvent with 10% of nickel at 60-80 under 15 atmospheres, but requires 5 times as long at 1 atmosphere. Isosafrol, dissolved in 3 parts of alcohol with 19 % of nickel, adds H 2 in an hour at 65. Geraniol and linalool saturate their double bonds, but allyl alcohol does not at 70 under 15 atmospheres, neither does allyl sulphocyanate. Piperonyl-acrilic acid gives piperonyl-propionic acid in the cold under 15 atmospheres. 51 The acetylene triple bond is also saturated without difficulty. 45 RATHER and REID, J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 37, 2115 (1915). 46 BROCHET and BAUER, Bull. Soc. Chim. (4), 17, 50 (1915), and Compt. rend., 159, 190 (1914). 47 SHAW, J. Soc. Chem. Ind., 33, 771 (1914). 48 ELLIS and RABINOVITZ, J. Ind. Eng. Chem., 8, 1105 (1916). 49 BROCKET and BAUER, Loc. cit. 60 BROCKET and CABARET, Compt. rend., 159, 326 (1914). 61 BROCHET and BAUER, Butt. Soc. Chim. (4), 17, 50 (1915). 602 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 216 602. Aldehydes and ketones. Aldehydes and ketones are not appreciably hydrogenated under atmospheric pressure. Thus the allyl-ketones dissolved in 5 parts of alcohol and treated at 60 with hydrogen under atmospheric pressure are hydrogenated in several hours to the saturated ketones without affecting the ketone group. 52 On the contrary, by working under pressure it is possible to change aldehydes and ketones to the corresponding alcohols. 53 603. Various Rings. The hydrogenation of the benzene ring or of similar rings is much more difficult to attain and is scarcely realizable except in the case of phenols and of compounds directly related to them. 84 With ordinary phenol the addition of hydrogen takes place slowly from 50 up and rapidly between 100 and 150 under 15 atmospheres, with complete transformation into cydohexanol without the simul- taneous production of cyclohexanone. Likewise several hours are sufficient for the hydrogenation of a- and fi-naphthols at 150 under 15 atmospheres. Eugenol, CH 3 0(OH)C 6 H3.CH2.CH : CH 2 , adds H 2 rapidly at 60 and 15 atmospheres to form propyl-methoxy-phenol but the ring is not hydrogenated unless the operation is carried on at 150. Indigotine. Indigo, dry or in paste, suspended in water containing a little caustic soda (10 g. indigo to 250 c. dilute caustic soda) is reduced at 70 by 5 g. nickel to indigo white in 40 minutes. The same reaction applies to thio-indigo and to malachite green which is reduced to the leuco base. 66 Hydrogenations by nascent Hydrogen in Liquid Systems in contact with Metals 604. The decomposition of formic acid by the catalytic action of metals of the platinum group provides hydrogen (824) which can be used in the liquid itself to effect hydrogenations. By the use of spongy or colloidal palladium, cinnamic acid can be transformed into phenylacetic or quinine into hydroquinine. 62 COENUBERT, Compt. rend., 159, 78 (1914). 63 BROCHET and CABARET, Compt. rend., 159, 326 (1914). 84 The hydrogenation of naphthalene is thoroughly described by SHROETER, Annalen, 426, 1, (1922). E. E. R. 65 BROCKET, Compt. rend., 160, 306 (1915). 56 VEREIN. CHININFABR. ZIMMER & Co., German patent, 267,306, 1914, C., 1914 (1), 88. CHAPTER XIII VARIOUS ELIMINATIONS I. ELIMINATION OF HALOGENS 605. THE classical method for the elimination of halogens from chlorine, bromine or iodine compounds is treatment with sodium. 1 The presence of benzene or petroleum ether retards this reaction greatly, but ordinary ether and ethyl acetate usually accelerate it. 2 The use of small amounts of acetonitrile greatly facilitates the reaction. Thus sodium does not act on methyl iodide in the cold but the addition of one or two drops of acetonitrile causes an immediate and abundant evolution of ethane, CHs.CH 3 . The same is true with ethyl, propyl, isopropyl and allyl iodides, tri- methylene bromide and benzyl chloride. Ethyl cyanide produces a similar catalytic effect and propyl cyanide is less effective while benzonitrile and benzyl cyanide have no such effect. 8 2. ELIMINATION OF NITROGEN 606. Diazo Compounds. In many important reactions of aro- matic diazo compounds, a molecule of nitrogen is eliminated. Cu- prous salts are frequently useful or indispensable catalysts for these decompositions. Copper powder can produce the same effects, doubt- less through the initial formation of cuprous compounds. Diazobenzene hydroxide, C 6 H 6 . N : N . OH decomposes immediately even at in the presence of copper powder to form phenol and nitro- gen. The copper for this purpose is precipitated by zinc dust in a saturated solution of copper sulphate, washed with water and then with a very dilute solution of hydrochloric acid and preserved wet and protected from the air. 4 607. Hydrochloric acid reacts with diazo chlorides, on boiling, to give the corresponding aromatic chloride, on condition that the de- 1 WURTZ, Ann. Chim. Phys. (3), 44, 275 (1855). 8 ELBS, Synth. Darstel. d. KohlensL, Leipzig, 1889, 2, 59. 1 MICHAEL, Amer. Chem. Jour., 25, 419 (1901). 4 GATTERMANN, Berichte, 23, 1220 (1890). 217 608 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 218 composition takes place in the presence of copper powder or cuprous chloride* We have: C 6 H 5 .N 2 .C1 + HC1 = N 2 + C 6 H 6 .C1 + HC1. The cuprous chloride is used in hydrochloric acid solution. This action of cuprous chloride has been explained by assuming that it acts in the presence of hydrochloric acid as a reducing agent giving cupric chloride and hydrogen: 2CuCl + 2HC1 = 2CuCl 2 + 2H and 2H + C 6 H 5 . N : NCI = C 6 H 5 . NH . NHC1. The hydrazine compound thus formed reduces the cupric chloride : 2CuCl 2 + C 6 H 5 .NH.NHC1 = 2CuCl + 2HC1 + C 6 H 6 .C1 + N,. regenerated The regenerated cuprous chloride repeats the same effects. 608. Hydrobromic acid reacts in a similar way on diazonium bromides in the presence of cuprous bromide. The cuprous bromide is prepared by warming 20 g. copper turnings with a solution of 12.5 g. copper sulphate and 36 g. potassium bromide in 80 cc. water con- taining 11 g. sulphuric acid. 6 609. Diazonium salts in water solution with sodium nitrite, in the presence of copper powder or moist cuprous oxide, are transformed into nitro compounds (Sandmeyer reaction) : C 6 H 6 .N 2 .C1 + NaN0 2 = C 6 H 5 .NO 2 + NaCl + N 2 . 610. Diazonium salts yield the corresponding aromatic isocyanates, C 6 H 5 .NCO, when treated with potassium isocyanate in presence of copper powder. 7 611. Hydrazine Compounds. Phenylhydrazine is decomposed at 150 into aniline, nitrogen and ammonia, on contact with cuprous chloride, bromide, or iodide: 3C 6 H 5 .NH.NH 2 = 3C 6 H 6 .NH 2 + N 2 + NH 3 . The chloride acts more rapidly than the bromide and this more rapidly than the iodide. When more than 1 % of the chloride is added, the decomposition is violent and almost explosive. The crys- tallized compound, CuI.2C 6 H 6 .NH.NH 2 , which may serve as an intermediate step in the catalysis, has been isolated. 8 6 SANDMEYER, Berichte, 17, 1635 (1884). 6 SANDMEYER, Berichte, 17, 2652 (1884). 7 GATTERMANN, Berichte, 23, 1220 (1890). 8 ARBUSOW and TICHWINSKY, Berichte, 43, 2295 (1910) and J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc. t 45, 69 (1913), C. A., 7, 2225. 219 VARIOUS ELIMINATIONS 614 The hydrazones derived from hydrazine and saturated cyclic ke- tones are decomposed, with the evolution of nitrogen, on contact with a small fragment of solid potash. Cyclohexone hydrazone gives cyclohexane in a violent reaction: /CH 2 . CH 2 \ /CH 2 . CH 2 \ CH/ )C : N . NH 2 = CH/ )CH 2 + N 2 . \CH 2 . CH 2 / \CH 2 . CH 2 / In every case the hydrocarbon obtained contains CH 2 in place of the CO of the ketone. Thus hydrazones from the methyl cyclohexones yield methyl cyclohexane, that from camphor furnishes camphane, CioHis melting at 158, and that from fenchone leads to fenchane, boiling at 151 . 9 612. 3, 5. Diphenyl-pyrazoline heated with fragments of potash and platinized porous porcelain decomposes into nitrogen and diphenyl- cyclopropane. 10 / C H2 \ /CH 2 \ C 6 H 5 . CH( )C . C 6 H 5 - C 6 H 6 . CH^- - ^CH . C 6 H 5 + N,. \NH.1SK 3. SEPARATION OF FREE CARBON 613. In many cases the dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons leads to the separation of free carbon and we shall see (Chapter XXI) that various finely divided metals frequently provoke this decomposition. But it is well to consider here a very important reaction which takes place with the separation of carbon from carbon monoxide in contact with certain substances. 614. Decarbonization of Carbon Monoxide. In the reduction of the oxides of iron, nickel and cobalt carried on above 400 by carbon monoxide, it has long been known that carbon is deposited and this continues at the expense of the carbon monoxide according to the equation : 2CO = C0 2 + C. Mond found that nickel can produce this effect between 350 and 450. " Sabatier and Senderens have shown that the reaction takes place with reduced nickel above 230, elevation of temperature accelerating the decomposition of the carbon monoxide. With a layer of nickel 9 KIZHNER, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 43, 582 (1911), C. A., 6, 347. 10 KIZHNER, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 47, 1102 (1915), C. A., 9, 3051. 11 MOND, LANGBB and QUINCKE, Chem, News, 62, 95 (1890). 615 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 220 35 cm. in length and a flow of gas of 25 cc. per minute, the amounts of carbon dioxide formed from 100 cc. of the monoxide were: At 238 1.2 cc. 250 3.8 275 17.9 285 23.2 300 40.5 320 49.0 349 and above 50.0, complete transformation. The reaction may be complete as can be shown by experiment; and besides, the inverse formation of carbon monoxide from carbon and the dioxide does not begin below 400. We do not have to any extent : C + C0 2 = 2CO, nor : Ni + C0 2 = NiO + CO. This would take place no more at higher temperatures, such as 650 and 800. w 615. Reduced cobalt gives rise to the identical reaction at above 300. Finely divided iron, kept at 445 with carbon monoxide for several hours, transforms it completely into carbon dioxide with the deposition of carbon. 13 Finely divided platinum, reduced copper, and finely divided silver, do not produce a similar effect on carbon monoxide below 450. 616. The separation of carbon can be explained by assuming the temporary formation of nickel or cobalt carbonyl which the high tem- perature decomposes into metal, carbon, and carbon dioxide. 14 But we can explain the phenomenon equally well by the mechan- ism which is apparent in the case of iron. At low temperatures, iron tends to reduce carbon monoxide to carbon with the formation of ferrous oxide: Fe + CO = FeO + C, but at a higher temperature, there is the formation of carbon dioxide and iron: FeO + CO = CO 2 + Fe. The iron thus regenerated can repeat the first reaction. These two successive steps may take place likewise with nickel and cobalt without our being able to perceive the intermediate compound, the oxide, since SABATIEB and SBNDERENS, Butt. Soc. Chim. (3), 29, 294 (1903). BOUDOUARD, Ann. Chim. Phys. (7), 24, 5 (1901). 14 BERTHELOT, Ann. Chim. Phys. (6), 26, 560 (1892). 221 VARIOUS ELIMINATIONS 621 the reduction of the oxide by the carbon monoxide takes place at a temperature lower than that at which the metal reduces the gas, the oxide of the metal can remain only in inappreciable amount. From this it can be seen that the reaction will take place better with nickel than with iron, since a considerable proportion of the iron is actually transformed into the oxide. 15 617. Manganous oxide, which dehydrogenates alcohols after the manner of metals (701), appears to give, doubtless by a mechanism analogous to that which has just been described, a certain amount of decomposition of carbon monoxide into carbon and carbon dioxide, but it is always small below 350. 16 4. ELIMINATION OF CARBON MONOXIDE 618. The decomposition of aldehydes and ketones can take place as a consequence of the elimination of carbon monoxide under the in- fluence of catalysts, either finely divided metals or anhydrous oxides acting at higher temperatures. With aldehydes the reaction goes more readily and yields chiefly: R.CO.H = CO+ RH. hydrocarbon 619. Reduced nickel acts energetically above 200. The vapors of propionic aldehyde are rapidly dissociated at 235 into carbon mon- oxide and ethane. Benzaldehyde is largely decomposed at 220 into benzene and pure carbon monoxide. 17 Furfural is changed by nickel at 270 into furfurane 1 * : CH : CH\ CH : CH\ >0 -> )0. CH : (X--CHO CH : CH/ 620. With ketones the result is more difficult to obtain. Starting with a ketone R.CO.R' a certain amount of the hydrocarbon R.R' may be formed but the d6bris resulting from the groups R and R' are the chief products. Acetone is decomposed by nickel, slowly at 240 and rapidly at 270, yielding carbon monoxide and the CHa radicals which give a little ethane and ethylene but chiefly methane, hydrogen and carbon. 17 621. Reduced copper has less effect: at 310 its action on propi- onic aldehyde is negligible and it is only at 350 or better at 400 that " SABATIER and SENDERENS, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 4, 485 (1905). M SABATIER and MAILHE, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 20, 315 (1910). 17 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 4, 474 (1905). " PADOA and PONTI, Lincei, 15 (2), 610 (1906), C., 1907 (1), 570. 622 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 222 carbon monoxide and a mixture of ethane, hydrogen and butane is obtained. 17 Its action is energetic on formaldehyde which it decom- poses almost completely into carbon monoxide and hydrogen. 19 The resulting carbon monoxide can be absorbed by caustic soda present in the mixture and furnish, according to a well known reaction, sodium formate. 20 Copper has no appreciable effect on ketones below 400. 622. Platinum sponge and particularly platinum black have an intense destructive action on aldehydes. Propionic aldehyde is attacked at 225, and at 275 decomposes rapidly into the same gas- eous products as are obtained with copper. 21 The action on ketones is less intense. 623. At 300 palladium black decomposes formaldehyde completely into carbon monoxide and hydrogen with traces of carbon dioxide and methane. Likewise acetaldehyde, propionic aldehyde, butyric aldehyde, benzaldehyde, and the toluic aldehydes are more or less split at temper- atures around 300 into carbon monoxide and the corresponding hydrocarbons. 22 624. The decomposition of formic acid into carbon monoxide and water which is effected by certain oxides, titania, blue oxide of tungsten, alumina, silica, and zirconia, and which can be regarded as an elimina- tion of carbon monoxide, will be studied later (825), as also the decomposition of formic esters, which is chiefly according to this reaction (866): H.CO2C n H 2n+1 = CO + C n H 2 n+i.OH. alcohol 625. Anhydrous aluminum chloride can decompose acid chlorides with the elimination of carbon monoxide. This takes place with dichloracetyl chloride which is split into carbon monoxide and chloro- form with heptachlorpropane as a by-product, resulting from the action of the chloroform on the original product. 23 6. ELIMINATION OF HYDROGEN SULPHIDE 626. Mercaptans. Cadmium sulphide catalyzes the decomposition of mercaptans according to two consecutive reactions exactly analo- gous to those according to which a primary alcohol is dehydrated to an ether and then to an unsaturated hydrocarbon (701). 19 SABATIER and MAILHE, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 20, 345 (1910). 20 LOEW, Berichte, 20, 145 (1887). 21 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 4, 475 (1905). 22 KUZNEZOV, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 45, 557 (1913). PRINS, J. prakt. Chem. (2), 89, 414 (1914). 223 VARIOUS ELIMINATIONS 628 At a moderate temperature, we have: sulphide At a higher temperature, a more rapid decomposition yields hydro- gen sulphide and the ethylene hydrocarbon: Thus ethyl mercaptan, C 2 H 5 .SH, passed over cadmium sulphide at 320, is almost completely transformed into the neutral sulphide, (2115)28, while at 380 it is completely decomposed into hydrogen sulphide and ethylene. Isoamyl mercaptan is changed into isoamyl sulphide at 360, but above 400 gives hardly anything but amylene. The decomposition of primary aliphatic mercaptans over cadmium sulphide at regulated temperatures constitutes a regular method of preparing primary sulphides from the mercaptans. 627. The mechanism of the decomposition is altogether analogous to that of alcohols (169). We can assume the formation of a cadmium mercaptide from the mercaptan and cadmium sulphide. This would decompose, according to the temperature, either into the neutral sul- phide or into the ethylene hydrocarbon with the regeneration of the metal sulphide which would then repeat the reaction, thus playing the part of a catalyst. We have at first: CdS + 2C n H 2n +i.SH = (C n H 2n+ iS) 2 Cd -f H 2 S mercaptide then: (C n H 2 n-nS) 2 Cd = CdS + (C n H 2n+1 ) 2 S sulphide and at a higher temperature: (C n H 2n+1 S) 2 Cd = CdS + H 2 S + 2C n H 2n . The transitory formation of the cadmium mercaptide is further indicated by the change of color of the sulphide, which takes on an orange tint quite different from the bright yellow of the original sulphide and retains that color after cooling in consequence of the persistence of a certain amount of the mercaptide. 628. Secondary mercaptans have a stronger tendency to decom- pose into the ethylene hydrocarbons but can, nevertheless, furnish some neutral sulphide. Cyclohexyl mercaptan, passed over cadmium sulphide at 300, gives 629 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 224 12 to 15% of the sulphide but the major portion is decomposed to cyclohexene, while at 350 all of it goes into cyclohexene. 24 629. Thiophenols. Aluminum chloride acts on a warm solution of thiophenol in petroleum ether, eliminating hydrogen sulphide and forming the diphenyl sulphide. At the same time some thianthrene, /S\ C 6 EL .CeH^ is formed by loss of hydrogen. 25 630. Formation of Thioureas. The thioureas can be obtained by the reaction of primary aromatic amines on carbon disulphide in the presence of a little sulphur as catalyst. Thus 1 part each of aniline, alcohol, and carbon disulphide and 0.005 part crystallized sulphur are warmed for several hours on the steam bath to obtain symmetrical diphenyl-thiourea : /NH.C 6 H 5 CS 2 + 2C 6 H B NH 2 = H 2 S + CS( \NH.C 6 H 5 The ortho and para toluidines, the naphthyl-amines and even p.aminophenol give the same reaction. 26 6. ELIMINATION OF AMMONIA 631. Reduced nickel has various effects on primary, secondary, and tertiary amines, and among these effects one is the elimination of ammonia. 27 Above 300 this is a clean cut reaction with aliphatic amines con- taining less than 5 carbon atoms. Thus ethylamine splits up into ammonia and ethylene, which at that temperature is in turn decom- posed into carbon, methane, hydrogen and ethane (910). We have: C 2 H 5 .NH 2 = NH 3 + C 2 H 4 . Amines containing five or more carbon atoms, e.g. amyl-amine, undergo this reaction and are simultaneously dehydrogenated to nitriles. This is true for benzyl-amine also. 28 Aromatic amines, aniline and the toluidines, are much more resist- ant, being hardly attacked by nickel at 350, but towards 500 there is elimination of ammonia with complete destruction of the molecule, according to a complicated reaction. 29 24 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 150, 1570 (1910). 26 DEUSS, Rec. Trav. Chim. Pays-Bos, 27, 145 (1908). 26 HUQERSHOFF, Berichte, 32, 2245 (1899). 17 SABATIER and GAUDION, Compt. rend., 165, 309 (1917). 28 SABATIER and GAUDION, Compt. rend., 165, 226 (1917). 29 SABATIER and GAUDION, Compt. rend., 165, 309 (1917). 225 VARIOUS ELIMINATIONS 633 632. By heating a-naphthylamine for 8 hours with a molecule of aniline in presence of a small amount of iodine (less than 1 %), am- monia is eliminated and phenyl-naphthylamine is formed in 85% yield. The use of very small proportions of iodine enables us to prepare the secondary amines derived from a-naphthylamine and the three toluidines, ortho and para anisidines, and meta and para chloranilines, with yields superior to those obtained by the usual methods. By heating fi-naphthylamine on the steam bath for 4 hours with less than 1 % of iodine, it is almost quantitatively changed into f$f$'- dinaphthyl-amine. Likewise p.aminophenol heated below 200 for 5 hours with 0.0025% iodine, loses ammonia and yields about 70% pp' . dihydroxy- diphenylamine. 30 633. Cuprous chloride and bromide and also zinc chloride catalyze the decomposition of the phenylhydrazones derived from the lower aliphatic aldehydes and ketones, giving ammonia and substituted indols. Thus the phenylhydrazone of methyl-ethyl-ketone evolves ammonia at 180 when 0.2 % of cuprous chloride is added and yields 2, 8-di- methyl-indol in 2 hours. The phenylhydrazone of propionic aldehyde gives similarly 3-meth- yl-indol (skatol). With copper chloride the yield is 60% and reaches 73 % with zinc chloride. With aldehydes there is some formation of nitriles resulting from splitting off aniline (635). The formation of /3-methyl-indol is thus represented: CH HCX N C C-CH 3 +NH 3 . S In the same way, the phenylhydrazone of acetonyl-acetone yields dimethyl-amino-phenyl-pyrrol. 31 With the phenylhydrazones derived from higher aliphatic alde- hydes, this reaction is of little importance as it is overshadowed by the formation of nitriles (635). 80 KNOEVENAQEL, J. prakt. Chem. (2), 89, 20 (1914). 11 ARBUSOF and TIKHVINSKY, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 45, 73 (1913), C. A., 7, 2225. ARBUSOF and FBIAUF, Ibid., 45, 694 (1913), C. A., 7, 3599. ARBUSOF and KHRUTZKII, Ibid., 45, 699 (1913), C. A., 7, 3599. 634 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 226 7. ELIMINATION OF ANILINE 634. The stability of aniline in the presence of nickel, which has been mentioned above, enables us to predict that the action of nickel on alkyl anilines will tend to split off aniline, as ammonia is elimi- nated from the alkyl ammonias. This is what takes place with methyl- aniline at 250. Aniline is regenerated with the separation of the group CH2 which decomposes into methane and carbon, the reaction being nearly thus: 2C 6 H 5 .NH.CH 3 = 2C 6 H 5 .NH 2 + C + CH 4 . With ethyl-aniline, we have: C 6 H 5 . NH . C 2 H 5 = C 6 H 6 . NH 2 + C 2 H 4 , the ethylene being entirely decomposed by the nickel (912) into carbon, methane, ethane and hydrogen, the hydrogen acting on the aniline to give a little ammonia and benzene. Dimethyl-aniline and diethyl-aniline behave in an entirely anal- ogous manner. 32 635. The phenylhydrazones of higher aliphatic aldehydes are de- composed by copper, zinc, and platinum chlorides into nitrites and aniline : R.CH :N.NH.C 6 H 5 = R.CN + C 6 H 5 .NH 2 . This is true for isobutyric, isovaleric, and isoheptylic aldehydes. The simultaneous production of indols (633) is of little importance. 33 82 SABATIER and GATJDION, Compt. rend., 165, 309 (1917). 83 ABBUSOF, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 45, 74 (1913). CHAPTER XIV DEHYDROGENATION 636. WE have explained direct hydrogenation by means of finely divided metals by the formation of an unstable hydride, produced rapidly by the metal and capable of readily giving up its hydrogen. If this explanation is correct, an important consequence can be readily foreseen. The catalytic metals, nickel, copper, and platinum, should be able to take up hydrogen not only from molecules of free hydrogen but also from other substances capable of furnishing hydro- gen, and consequently to be dehydrogenation catalysts, a prediction which experiment has largely verified. 637. This capability has been long known in some cases. As early as 1823 it was known that iron, copper, gold, silver, and platinum had the power of greatly facilitating the decomposition of ammonia, without appreciable alteration of the metal. The decomposition of the ammonia can be thus effected at a much lower temperature than in the absence of these metals. 1 In 1843, Reiset and Millon noticed that alcohol vapor passed through a tube filled with fragments of porcelain and heated to 300, is not appreciably decomposed, but that decomposition manifests itself at 220 in presence of platinum sponge. 2 In 1866, Berthelot noticed that the presence of iron favors the decomposition of acetylene at a red heat, 3 and later Schutzenberger stated that platinum sponge warmed in a current of acetylene, decom- poses it with incandescence, giving a voluminous mass of carbon in which the metal is diffused. 4 This active decomposition of acetylene was rediscovered in 1896 by Moissan and Moureu, who observed it also with recently reduced iron, cobalt, and nickel. 5 A similar decomposition of ethylene in con- tact with the same metals at 300, was obtained in 1897 by Sabatier and Senderens, 6 who interpreted it by assuming the temporary for- 1 DULONG and THENARD, Ann. Chim. Phys. (2), 23, 440 (1823). 2 REISET and MILLON, Ann. Chim. Phys. (3), 8, 280 (1843). 3 BERTHELOT, Compt. rend., 62, 906 (1866). 4 SCHUTZENBERGER, TraiU de Chemie, I, 724. 5 MOISSAN and MOUREU, Crnnpt. rend., 122, 1241 (1896). 6 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Compt. rend., 124, 616 (1897). 227 638 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 228 mation of a metal hydride and were thus led to apply these metals to dehydrogenation reactions as well as to those of hydrogenation. 638. The dehydrogenation catalysts are primarily the metals, and to a less degree, certain anhydrous metal oxides and some salts derived from these oxides, carbon and, in exceptional cases, anhydrous alu- minum chloride. The effects produced by these catalysts can be divided into several groups : 1. Dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons. 2. Return of hydroaromatic compounds to aromatic with double bonds. 3. Conversion of primary alcohols to aldehydes and of secondary to ketones. 4. Dehydrogenation of poly-alcohols. 5. Dehydrogenation of amines to nitriles. 6. Direct synthesis of amines from hydrocarbons. 7. Formation of rings by loss of hydrogen. 1. DEHYDROGENATION OF HYDROCARBONS 639. Finely divided metals exercise an important dehydrogenating effect on hydrocarbons, the effect being greater the higher the tem- perature. The separation of hydrogen is always accompanied by mo- lecular changes, which are frequently followed by condensation into more complex hydrocarbons. We will return to the breaking down and building up of hydrocarbons by catalysts in Chapter XXI, which is devoted to that subject, and will content ourselves in the following paragraph to the regular passage of hydroaromatic hydrocarbons to the aromatic with double bonds. 2. DEHYDROGENATION OF HYDROAROMATIC COMPOUNDS 640. The various compounds formed by the hydrogenation of stable cyclic compounds tend to revert to the latter by loss of hydrogen when submitted to the action of finely divided metals at tempera- tures higher than those at which they are formed directly. Among the metals, reduced nickel shows itself as particularly active. 7 The dehydrogenation can take place in the presence of excess of hydrogen, and in some cases the excess of hydrogen, far from hinder- 7 This! is probably a reversible reaction reaching a definite equilibrium for each temperature and pressure of hydrogen. Quantitative studies are most desirable. E. E. R. 229 DEHYDROGENATION 642 ing the reaction, regulates it by favoring the maintenance of the cyclic structure and diminishing the tendency to the breaking up of the molecule into many fragments (644). 641. Cyclohexane, which can not be formed by the direct hydro- genation of benzene by the aid of nickel above 300 (446), suffers a partial dehydrogenation to benzene above 300, but a part of the benzene is transformed to methane by the liberated hydrogen: 8 3C6HU = 2C 6 H 6 + 6CH4. The presence of a current of hydrogen stabilizes the molecule to a certain extent so that it is only slightly broken up at 350. At 400 about 30 % of the cyclohexane passing over the nickel with the hydro- gen is decomposed into benzene. 9 With methyl-cyclohexane alone, decomposition begins at 240 and is rapid at 275, the gas evolved then containing: Methane 78 % by volume Hydrogen 22 % by volume The condensed liquid contains a large proportion of toluene. Ethyl-cyclohexane is attacked slowly at 280 to 300 and gives a gas containing 83% methane and 17% hydrogen, a mixture of ethyl- benzene and toluene being condensed. The 1 , S-dimethyl-cyclohexane acts like cyclohexane and is stabilized by an excess of hydrogen. At 400, the dehydrogenation to m.xylene does not exceed 25 %. 10 Reduced copper exercises a similar but less intense action which does not begin till above 300. 642. Hydroxy and amino substitution products of cyclohexane hydrocarbons undergo dehydrogenation still more readily and above 350 the reaction is not hindered by an excess of hydrogen. In the presence of nickel above 350, cyclohexanol and its homologs come back to the phenol condition. This effect commences at even much lower temperatures: when cyclohexanone is hydrogenated over nickel at 230, 25% of phenol is collected along with the cyclo- hexanol. 11 In a current of hydrogen at 360 the transformation into phenol is practically complete. 12 The same effect is even more important for the cyclic poly-alcohols and also for the amines such as cyclohexyl-amine which tends to regen- 8 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 137, 240 (1903). 9 SABATIER and DAUDIER, Compt. rend., 168, 670 (1919). 10 SABATIER and GAUDION, Unpublished results. 11 SKITA and HITTER, Berichte, 44, 668 (1911). PADOA and FABRIS, Lincei, 17 (1), 111 and 125 (1908), C., 1908 (1), 1395 and 1908 (2), 1103. 643 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 230 erate aniline and dicyclohexyl-amine which yields diphenylamine and cyclohexylaniline. The hydrides of naphthalene act in the same way: the higher hydrides under the influence of nickel at 200 come back to the tetrahydride, and this regenerates naphthalene at 300. Frequently, as in the case of cyclohexane, the liberated hydrogen can break down a portion of the hydrocarbon into larger or smaller aliphatic fragments. This takes place with dodecahydrophenanthrene, which breaks down at 200 into lower hydrides and various aliphatic hydrocarbons, while the hexahydride is regularly dehydrogenated to the tetrahydride at 220, which in turn passes to phenanthrene at 280. With nickel at 300-330, the perhydrides of anthracene give the tetrahydride and decomposition products At 250, decahydrofluorene returns to fluorene. 643. Unsaturated cyclic hydrocarbons, cydohexenes, cyclohexadi- enes, as well as the terpenes and various of their substitution products, are still more readily dehydrogenated by nickel even in a current of hydrogen. Cyclohexene gives benzene almost quantitatively when passed over nickel at 250. 12 The same is true at 300 in a current of hydrogen. 13 Cyclohexadiene, CeH 8 , passed over finely divided platinum at 180, yields benzene, but this is mixed with cyclohexane, which is stable at this temperature and which results from the utilization of the liberated hydrogen. 14 644. Limonene, in a current of hydrogen over nickel at 280-300, is changed almost entirely into cymene accompanied by a certain amount of cumene and simpler aromatic hydrocarbons. Menthene, in hydrogen over nickel at 360, yield 80 % of cymene. Under the same conditions, pinene and camphene are dehydro- genated to aromatic hydrocarbons, CioHu and lower. 18 /CH2.CH2V /CH 3 645. Eucalyptol, or cineol, CH 3 . CT >CH . C( , carried |\CH 2 .CH 2 / along by a current of hydrogen over nickel at 360 is simultaneously reduced and dehydrogenated to form cymene. Terpineol undergoes a similar reaction. /CH 2 .CO\ /CH 3 Pulegone, CH 3 . CHf XJ : C' , submitted to the action \CH 2 .CH 2 / \CH 3 13 SABATIER and GAUDION, Compt. rend., 168, 670 (1919). 14 BOESEKEN, Rec. Trav. Chim. Pays-Bos, 37, 255 (1918). 16 SABATIEB and GAUDION, Compt. rend., 168, 670 (1919). 231 DEHYDROGENATION 649 of nickel in a current of hydrogen at 360, is changed into a mixture of thymol and cresol, formed by the elimination of the carbon chain in the form of methane. 15 646. Dodecahydrotriphenylene is completely changed to triphen- ylene, melting at 198, by passing over copper at 450-500. 16 647. Piperidine, under the action of nickel at 180 to 250, even in the presence of hydrogen, is totally changed to pyridine: 17 /CH 2 . CH 2 \ /CH : CH\ CH/ )NH -> CH^- ^N. \CH 2 . CH 2 / \CH : CH/ Tetrahydroquinoline, passed over nickel at 180, gives a certain proportion of quinoline, but the chief product is skatol: 18 CH CH 2 CH HC C CH 2 HC C- C.CH 3 C CH 2 HC C HC C CH 2 HC C CH \ / \ / \ / \ / CH NH CH NH 648. If dehydrogenation is carried out with a partially hydrogen- ated product, the hydrogen set free by the action of the metal on one portion may hydrogenate the other. This is what takes place when palladium sponge acts on methyl tetrahydroterephthalate which gives 1 part methyl terephthalate and 2 parts methyl hexahydro- terephthalate. 19 649. Palladium black is an active dehydrogenation catalyst for the hexamethylene hydrocarbons. The action begins at 170, is vigor- ous at 200, at a maximum at 300, and yields only hydrogen and benzene or its homologs. At 100-110, the inverse action takes place, i.e. there is hydrogenation of the benzene, but this does not take place at 200 even in excess of hydrogen. Likewise hexahydro- benzoic acid passes to benzoic. 20 The esters of hexahydrobenzoic acid are also dehydrogenated, but methyl cyclopentane-carbonate is not affected. 21 16 MANNICH, Berichte, 40, 159 (1906). 17 CIAMICIAN, Lincei, 16, 808 (1907). 18 PADOA and SCAGLIARINI, Lincei, 17 (1), 728 (1908), C., 1908 (2), 614. 19 ZELINSKY and GLINKA, Berichte, 44, 2305 (1911). 20 ZELINSKY and Miss UKLONSKAJA, Berichte, 45, 2677 (1912). 21 ZELINSKY and Miss UKLONSKAJA, /. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc. 46, 56 (1913), C. A., 7, 2224. 650 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 232 Below 300, cyclopentane and methyl-cyclopentane 22 and cyclohep- tane 23 are not dehydrogenated. Platinum black acts similarly but less energetically. 23 3. DEHYDROGENATION OF ALCOHOLS 650. A long time ago Berthelot noticed that the vapors of ethyl alcohol passed through a progressively heated glass tube, begin to decompose at around 500, that is at nearly a dull red heat, giving rise to two simultaneous reactions, namely: dehydration with sepa- ration of ethylene and dehydrogenation with the production of alde- hyde, the reactions being further complicated by the decomposition of the ethylene and the aldehyde by the heat, the aldehyde being par- tially decomposed into carbon monoxide and methane. 24 Various primary alcohols undergo analogous decompositions at a dull red heat, being simultaneously dehydrated and dehydrogenated. We have: i CH : CH2 ethylene hydrocarbon N H 2 + C n H 2n+1 . CH 2 . CO . H aldehyde and likewise: / ,H 2 0-f-(C 6 H 5 .CH) x C 6 H 6 .CH 2 Qir benzyl alcohol ^H 2 + C 6 H 6 .CO.H benzaldehyde Up to 400, neither of these reactions takes place to any appre- ciable extent. Secondary alcohols react more readily in this manner, giving hy- drocarbons by dehydration and ketones by dehydrogenation, the one or the other reaction predominating as the case may be. Thus, for secondary aliphatic alcohols, ethylene hydrocarbons are formed rather than ketones, while benzhydrol yields benzophenone at as low as 290 . 25 651. In the presence of catalysts, that is to say of substances capa- ble of forming temporary chemical combinations with one of the products of the above reactions, the corresponding reaction will be realized at a lower temperature and rendered more or less rapid. 22 ZELINSKY, /. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 43, 1220 (1911). Berichte, 45, 3678 (1912). ,* ZELINSKY and HERZENSTEIN, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 44, 275 (1912). 24 BERTHELOT and JUNGFLEISCH, Traitt dim. de Chimie Org., 2nd. Ed. Paris, 1886, I, 256. 26 KNOEVENAGEL and HECKEL, Berichte, 36, 2816 (1903). 233 DEHYDROGENATION 653 Dehydrogenation catalysts should specially promote the decompo- sition of alcohols into aldehydes or ketones, while dehydration catalysts should facilitate the formation of water and hydrocarbons. The metals, copper, cobalt, nickel, iron, platinum, and palladium, particularly in the finely divided form, are dehydrogenation catalysts, and so are a small number of anhydrous oxides, e.g. manganous, though to a less extent. On the contrary, certain metal oxides are exclusively dehydration cata- lysts for alcohols : such are thoria, alumina and the blue oxide of tungsten. Finally a large number of substances, oxides and salts, have both functions and can to very variable extents cause the dehydration and the dehydrogenation of alcohols at the same time. Beryllia and zir- conia play the two roles almost equally well; all the intermediates are found between the two extremes of exclusive catalysts. 26 652. Of all the dehydrogenation catalysts, the one that serves best for the regular decomposition of primary or secondary alcohols into aldehydes or ketones, is reduced copper, which in practice can be replaced by the very finely divided copper which is manufactured fo imitation gilding. Cobalt, iron, and platinum can be used, but with poorer results, while nickel is the least suitable. 27 Use of Copper 653. Primary Alcohols. Primary aliphatic alcohols, when passed in the vapor form over reduced copper kept between 200 and 300, are regularly decomposed into aldehydes and hydrogen, the conden- sate containing, along with the aldehyde, some of the unchanged alcohol and a little of the corresponding acetal. The practical yield is usually above 50 % with less than 5 % of higher products and 45 % of the alcohol which can be fractioned out and put through again. This is a very advantageous method for the preparation of aliphatic aldehydes, particularly for those which, on account of low volatility, are difficult to prepare by oxidation of the alcohols. The transformation can never be complete, even when a long train of copper is used, since the hydrogen which is formed can be added to the aldehyde by copper above 200. Hence the reaction is limited but the conditions are favorable to the decomposition because the operation is carried on in the presence of a small concentration of hydrogen. By operating under reduced pressure, there is the double advan- tage of a more ready volatilization of the alcohols and a diminution 26 SABATIER and MAILHE. Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 20, 289 and 341 (1310). 27 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Compt. rend., 136, 738, 921 and 983 (1903). 654 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 234 of the reverse action of hydrogen, and consequently increasing the practical yield. 654. The apparatus used by Sabatier and Senderens is the same as that employed for hydrogenations (347) except that the tube for introducing the hydrogen is omitted. 28 Bouveault has used a vertical tube for the catalyst, 25-30 mm. in diameter and of varying length, up to 1 m. The lower extremity which is drawn down to 10 mm. passes through the stopper of a flask in which the alcohol is vaporized. The tube is filled with rolls of copper gauze containing copper hydroxide, resembling cigarettes; it is heated by a coil of resistance wire through which passes a current that can be suitably regulated. The reduction of the copper hydrox- ide is effected by hydrogen at 300 and should be carried on slowly so as to leave an adherent mass of copper. The current is regulated so as to obtain the desired temperature and the alcohol vapors pass through the vertical catalyst tube and from it into a fractionating column which separates the more volatile aldehyde and returns the less volatile alcohol to the flask to be reva- porized. A catalyst tube 1 m. long is sufficient for the preparation of 500 g. aldehyde in a day. 29 30 It is evident that the apparatus may be connected with a pump controlled by a regulator so as to operate in a partial vacuum, if this is desired. 655. If the temperature is above a certain point, the aldehydes formed are partially destroyed by contact with the metal with elim- ination of carbon monoxide: R.CO.H = But except in the case of formaldehyde and the aromatic alde- hydes, this decomposition is not yet rapid at 300. This decomposition is more rapid with a more active catalyst. With methyl alcohol, using a light violet copper prepared by the slow reduction of the precipitated oxide, there is a rapid evolution of gas which contains about 1 volume of carbon monoxide to 2 of hydrogen : the formaldehyde produced has been completely destroyed, only traces of it being found in the condensate. We have: H.CH 2 .OH = CO + 2H 2 . On the contrary with compact reddish orange copper, prepared by reducing a dense oxide at a dull red, the evolution of gas is only about 28 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 4, 332 (190$). 29 BOUVEAULT, Butt. Soc. Chim. (4), 3, 50 and 119 (1908). 80 This apparatus and its operation are more fully described by WEISMANN and GABRAND, J. Chem. Soc., 117, 328 (1920). E. E. R. 235 DEHYDROGENATION 657 one twelfth as rapid, but it is practically pure hydrogen and almost all of the formaldehyde survives. 31 656. Methyl alcohol is decomposed even at 200 and very rapidly at 280-300. By catalytic decomposition over copper, methyl alcohol can be detected in ethyl alcohol, since the formaldehyde produced can be characterized by the violet coloration which it gives with morphine and concentrated sulphuric acid. 32 The destruction of the formaldehyde is already apparent at 240- 260, hydrogen and carbon monoxide being produced along with a little methyl formate (225) , 33 this destruction increasing rapidly with rise of temperature, till at 400 at least 75 % is decomposed. Ethyl alcohol is decomposed above 200, the aldehyde being formed rapidly at 250 to 350, without complications. At 420, 16 % of the acetaldehyde is destroyed and the gas collected contains 3 volumes of methane and 1 of carbon monoxide to 6 of hydrogen. 34 Propyl alcohol is transformed regularly at 230 to 300 and at 420 one fourth of the aldehyde is destroyed. Butyl alcohol yields the aldehyde well at 220 to 280, and at 370 only one sixth is destroyed. At 240 to 300, isobutyl alcohol is easily transformed into the aldehyde : at 400, one half of this is decomposed. Isoamyl alcohol yields the aldehyde at 240 to 300 without compli- cations. At 370 only 6 % of the product is decomposed and at 430, about 25 %. 36 An aliphatic Cio alcohol is regularly changed into the aldehyde by heating in Bouveault's apparatus under reduced pressure. 36 The copper is never fouled by carbonaceous deposits and remains able to continue the reaction indefinitely. 657. Benzyl alcohol is transformed less readily than the aliphatic : the decomposition does not begin below 300 but is satisfactory there. At 380 the reaction is complex and some toluene and benzene are formed along with the benzaldehyde, while the gases evolved contain carbon monoxide and dioxide along with the hydrogen. From 18 parts of alcohol, only 13 go to the aldehyde, the other 5 forming benzene and toluene. Under reduced pressure, phenylethyl alcohol, C 6 H 5 . CH 2 . CH 2 OH, 31 SABATIER and MAILHE, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 20, 344 (1910). 32 MANNICH and GEILMANN, Arch. Pharm., 254, 50 (1916), C. A., n, 1114. 33 MANNICH and GEILMANN, Berichte, 49, 585 (1916). 34 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 4, 463 (1905). 35 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 4, 463 (1905). 3 BOUVEAULT, Butt. Soc. Chim. (4), 3, 50 and 119 (1908). 658 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 236 yields phenyl-acetaldehyde readily, but there is a little decomposition of the aldehyde into toluene and carbon monoxide and there is also some dehydration of the alcohol to styrene, CeHs.CH : CH 2 , the major part of which is hydrogenated to ethyl-benzene or condensed to the slightly volatile meta-styrene which remains on the metal and weakens its catalytic activity. 658. The unsaturated allyl alcohol, CH 2 :CH.CH 2 OH, is trans- formed over copper at 180 to 300, with the evolution of very little hydrogen, into propionic aldehyde, with a slight amount of acroleine. The hydrogen derived from the decomposition of the alcohol serves to hydrogenate the double bond of the aldehyde formed (432) , 36 It is the same way with undecenyl alcohol, CH 2 :CH.(CH 2 ) 8 .- CH 2 OH, which yields only the saturated aldehyde, undecenal. On the contrary, under reduced pressure, geraniol (416) gives citral almost entirely. 36 659. Secondary Alcohols. The transformation of secondary alco- hols into ketones with the separation of a molecule of hydrogen is even more readily accomplished by finely divided copper since, the ketones being more stable than the aldehydes, a larger temperature interval is available in which to effect the transformation. Usually even at 400 there is no appreciable complication, the gas evolved is pyre hydrogen. The immediate yield of ketone may exceed 75%. As in the case of the aldehydes, the reaction is never entirely com- plete, since, in contact with copper above 200, the disengaged hydro- gen is capable of hydrogenating the ketone to regenerate the alcohol. But the hydrogenating power of the copper is much less than its aptitude to decompose the alcohol and the production of ketone pre- dominates greatly. 37 Isopropyl alcohol is decomposed slowly from 150, the production of acetone being rapid at 250 to 430, without separation of propylene. Secondary butyl alcohol is attacked at 160, and furnishes butanone readily at 300 without production of butylene. Secondary octyl alcohol produces only the octanone(2) at 250 to 300. It is only above 400 that there is decomposition into carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. 660. Over copper at around 300, cyclohexanol is split cleanly into hydrogen and cyclohexanone. 37 At 300, o.methyl-cyclohexanol is transformed into o.methyl-cyclo- hexanone, with a little water and o.methyl-cydohexene and some o.cresol which are readily eliminated. Results almost as good are obtained with the meta but less satisfactory with p.methyl-cyclohexanol. " SABATHJR and SENDEBENS, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 4, 467 (1905). 237 DEHYDROGENATION 664 The method may be used with the same facility with the various dimethyl-cyclohexanols , 38 661. By contact with copper at 300, borneol is changed very readily and almost totally into camphor. 39 662. Benzhydrol. C 6 H 5 . CH (OH) . C 6 H 5 , when its vapors are passed over copper at 350, yields benzophenone, which is largely changed by the liberated hydrogen into diphenyl-methane and partic- ularly into symmetrical tetraphenyl-ethane (720). 663. The method is suitable for transforming a secondary alcohol group into a ketone group even in mixed compounds. The secondary alcohol-ketones of the form R.CH(OH).CO.R' readily furnish the corresponding a-diketones. 40 Under the same conditions, ($-hydroxy-esters can be transformed into ketone-esters. Thus ethyl ft-hydroxy-isoheptoate, (CH 3 ) 2 CH.CH2.~ CH(OH).CH 2 C0 2 C2H5, is changed to ethyl J3-keto-isoheptoate.* 1 Use of Other Metals 664. Nickel. Reduced nickel acts more violently on the alcohols than does copper and the dehydrogenation of primary or secondary alcohols is always accompanied by a more or less considerable splitting up of the aldehyde or ketone, with the formation of carbon monoxide which may be more or less profoundly altered by the nickel; a part being hydrogenated by the hydrogen formed from the alcohol and a part being changed to carbon and carbon dioxide (614). The sepa- ration of the carbon monoxide usually begins at the same time as the decomposition of the alcohol. 42 Methyl alcohol is attacked as low as 180, but two thirds of the lib- erated formaldehyde is destroyed. The reaction is rapid at 250 but eight ninths of the aldehyde is destroyed and the gas evolved contains only 45% of hydrogen along with methane and carbon monoxide. At 350 there is no longer any aldehyde and no carbon monoxide : the gas is a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide. Ethyl alcohol is decomposed from 150 up, rapidly above 230. As low as 180, almost a third of the aldehyde formed is decomposed, and at 330 its destruction is complete. 38 SABATIBR and MAILHE, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 10, 550, 554, 557 and 568 (1907). " GOLDSMITH, English patent, 17,573 of 1906; /. S. C. /., 26, 777 (1907). ALOY and BRUSTIER, Bull Soc. Chim. (4), 9, 733 (1911). 40 BOUVEAULT and LOCQUIN, Bull. Soc. Chim. (3), 35, 650 (1906). 41 BOUVEAULT, Loc. cit. 42 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 4, 469 (1905). 665 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 238 The results are similar with propyl alcohol, with which 75 % of the aldehyde is decomposed at 260; and with n.butyl alcohol with which 92% of the aldehyde is decomposed; and for isobutyl alcohol. With ordinary isoamyl alcohol, the destruction of the aldehyde already reaches one half at 210. Heptyl alcohol, submitted to the action of nickel at 220, gives only a small amount of the aldehyde, the chief product being hexane resulting from its decomposition with separation of carbon monoxide. 43 665. In contact with nickel, isopropyl alcohol is slowly decomposed into acetone and hydrogen from 150 up. The reaction is rapid at 210 but about 12% of the alcohol that is transformed is split into water, ethane and methane. Secondary butyl alcohol is transformed quite regularly above 200 but 20 % of the product is already decomposed, while at 310, 80 % is destroyed. For methyl-hexyl-carbinol the decomposition is clean at 250 but at that temperature already the methyl-hexyl-ketone formed is mostly broken down into carbon monoxide, methane and hexane, only a third surviving. 666. Cobalt. The action of reduced cobalt on primary and sec- ondary alcohols is between that of nickel and that of copper. 44 667. Iron. The action of iron is analogous to that of cobalt. At high temperatures, 600 to 700, it causes a rapid destruction. An iron tube either empty or filled with iron turnings decomposes ethyl alco- hol strongly at 700 giving 30 % aldehyde and depositing about 7 % of carbon. 46 668. Platinum. Platinum sponge acts on alcohols as does nickel but its action does not begin till above 250. Besides the destruction of the aldehydes is inseparable from their formation and always pre- dominates. Around 250 methyl alcohol is split cleanly into hydrogen and car- bon monoxide with no methane and only traces of formaldehyde. Ethyl alcohol is attacked at 270, and at 370 the reaction is rapid, but 75% of the aldehyde is decomposed into carbon monoxide and methane. Propyl alcohol is split above 280, but at 310 the aldehyde is almost completely decomposed into ethane and carbon monoxide. The results are better with secondary alcohols since the ketones are more stable than the aldehydes. 48 BOESEKEN and VAN SENDEN, Rec. Trav. Chim. Pays-Bos, 32, 23 (1913). 44 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 4, 473 (1905). 46 IPATIEF, Berichte, 35, 1047 (1902). 239 DEHYDROGENATION 673 Isopropyl alcohol is transformed into acetone at 320 without notable complications and at 400 the destruction of the acetone reaches barely 3 % of the product. 46 669. Palladium. The considerable affinity that this metal has for hydrogen seems to fit it for the dehydrogenation of alcohols. Benz- hydrol is rapidly decomposed into benzophenone by contact with palladium sponge. 47 670. Zinc. Around 650 this metal decomposes alcohols strongly : ethyl alcohol yields 60% aldehyde and the gases, ethylene, carbon monoxide and methane. Isobutyl alcohol gives 75 % of aldehyde and gas which is largely butylene. Brass, an alloy of copper and zinc, acts at 600 like zinc. 48 Use of Other Materials 671. The use of other substances to dehydrogenate alcohols is not advantageous since they act much less energetically than the metals and because they require the use of higher temperatures at which the aldehydes are decomposed into carbon monoxide and saturated hydrocarbons. 672. Manganous Oxide. Its action hardly begins below 320. At 360 it decomposes methyl alcohol only one sixth as rapidly as compact red-orange copper; the greater part of the formaldehyde survives and the hydrogen is nearly pure. At 360 the decomposition of ethyl alcohol is only one fortieth as rapid as with light copper and a part of the aldehyde is already de- composed into ethane, carbon monoxide and even carbon dioxide, the latter being formed from the carbon monoxide with a corresponding deposit of carbon, the reaction being similar to that produced by metals (614). Propyl, isoamyl and benzyl alcohols give analogous results. 49 673. Stannous Oxide. This acts above 300 as a dehydrogenation catalyst after the manner of the metals, but is slowly reduced mean- while into metallic tin, which is easy to see in the oxide. This finely divided tin seems to possess a catalytic power similar to that of the oxide so that the mixture of metal and oxide continues to split alco- hols into aldehydes and hydrogen for a long time, but as the reaction temperature is above 220, the melting point of tin, the tiny globules 46 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 4, 473 (1905). 47 KNOEVENAGEL and HECKEL, Berichte, 36, 2816 (1903). 48 IPATIEF, Berichte, 34, 3579 (1901) and 37, 2961 and 2986 (1904). 49 SABATIER and MAILHE, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 20, 313 (1910). 674 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 240 of metal resulting from the reduction of the oxide gradually coalesce into larger, and consequently the activity diminishes. Thus with ethyl alcohol, the brownish orange stannous oxide (re- sulting from the reduction of stannic oxide by the alcohol vapors) commences to act at 260. At 350 the velocity of the reaction is almost half as great as with the same volume of very light reduced copper. The disengaged hydrogen is almost pure, the acetaldehyde being only slightly decomposed. At the end of four hours the velocity of the reaction is reduced by half. Amyl alcohol yields the aldehyde regularly at 340. Methyl alcohol is attacked above 260 with the production of form- aldehyde. At 350 the most of this is decomposed into carbon mon- oxide and hydrogen. 60 674. Cadmium Oxide. This behaves like stannous oxide and de- hydrogenates while it is reduced at the same time to the metal which possesses a catalytic activity differing little from that of the oxide. Thus with ethyl alcohol at 300 the reaction is about one tenth as rapid as with the same volume of very active copper and maintains itself for a long time in spite of the progressive reduction of the oxide. Benzyl alcohol acts in exactly the same way : at 350 there is a slow reduction of the oxide and at the same time a splitting of the alcohol into benzaldehyde and hydrogen. At 380 the benzaldehyde is partially decomposed into benzene and carbon monoxide. The entire absence of the resinous hydrocarbon (714) indicates that there is no dehydration. With methyl alcohol, the splitting which begins at 250 is quite rapid above 300 and produces formaldehyde which is partially de- composed into carbon monoxide and hydrogen. 81 675. Other Oxides. Most non-reducible metallic oxides are mixed catalysts for alcohol, causing dehydration and dehydrogenation at the same time. For some : uranous oxide, blue oxide of molybdenum, vanadous oxide, V 2 03, zinc oxide, dehydrogenation predominates. In another group : beryllium oxide, zirconium oxide, chromic oxide, Cr 2 O 3 (calcined above 500), the dehydrogenating and dehy- drating powers are about equal. For a'third group : chromic oxide, Cr 2 O 3 (not calcined), titanium oxide, silicon dioxide, dehydration predominates. 676. With reference to methyl alcohol the classification of the oxides is quite different since in this case dehydration can not take place except by the formation of methyl ether and the conditions are 60 SABATIER and MAILHE, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 20, 309 (1910). " SABATIER and MAILHE, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 20, 302 (1910). 241 DEHYDROGENATION 678 not comparable. Except alumina, which at 390 only dehydrates, and several oxides (thoria, blue oxide of tungsten, chromic oxide and alumina above 350) which are mixed catalysts, all metallic oxides dehydrogenate methyl alcohol with the production of formaldehyde which is more or less decomposed into carbon monoxide and methane. The following table indicates the volume of gas obtained per min- ute with the same volume of various catalysts employed under the same conditions. Oxides Volume of gas in cc. per minute. Formaldehyde remaining almost entirely; the gas is nearly pure hydrogen. BeO very small SiO 2 0.3 Ti0 2 1.2 ZnO 1.5 Zr0 2 1.8 MnO 2.0 A1 2 O 8 6.0 Formaldehyde partially decomposed, the hydrogen contains carbon monoxide. PbO 62 45(beginning) Mo 2 O 3 54 CdO 57 (beginning) Formaldehyde almost completely destroyed, the gas is nearly CO + 2H 2 . Fe 2 O 3 52 106 (beginning) V 2 O 6 140 SnO 62 160 (beginning) Light copper 152 677. The dehydrogenating power of oxides can hardly be explained except by assuming an unstable combination of the oxide and the aldehyde. 53 678. Zinc powder, which is an intimate finely divided mixture of metallic zinc and zinc oxide, usually containing a certain proportion of cadmium and cadmium oxide, acts by virtue of these various substances as a quite active dehydrogenation catalyst, particularly toward methyl alcohol, the formaldehyde being mostly decomposed into carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Long ago Jahn noted that zinc powder splits methyl alcohol into a gas containing 30% carbon monoxide and 70% hydrogen. 54 12 The gas volumes given are taken after the absorption of the carbon dioxide resulting from the slow reduction of the oxide. 68 SABATIER and MAILHE, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 20, 340 to 346 (1910). M JAHN, Berichte, 13, 983 (1880). 679 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 242 679. Carbon. Baker's coals act towards alcohols as a mixed cata- lyst causing dehydrogenation and dehydration simultaneously. Ethyl alcohol undergoes a complex reaction at 375-385, being almost completely destroyed yielding methane and carbon monoxide. With isopropyl alcohol dehydration predominates. 55 4. DEHYDROGENATION OF POLY-ALCOHOLS 680. Glycerine is the only poly-alcohol of which the dehydrogena- tion has been studied. When its vapors are passed at 330 over very light reduced copper, prepared by the reduction of cupric carbonate at a low temperature, there is a rapid evolution of gas consisting of hy- drogen mixed with methane, carbon monoxide and dioxide, the pro- portion of the latter rising to one third of the whole. The initial effect of the copper is dehydrogenation to glyceric aldehyde: CH 2 OH.CHOH.CH 2 OH = H 2 + CH 2 OH.CHOH.CHO. As soon as this is formed it is decomposed in the same way as it is by beer yeast into ethyl alcohol and carbon dioxide: 56 CH 2 OH.CHOH.CHO = C0 2 + CH 3 .CH 2 OH. A part of this alcohol is found in the distillate and a part suffers dehydrogenation by the copper to acetaldehyde, CH 3 .CHO, which itself splits up, more completely when the temperature is high, into methane and carbon monoxide. Furthermore, at the temperature of the reaction a portion of the glycerine is dehydrated to acrole'ine, which is mostly found in the dis- tillate with the alcohol and water but a part of which is hydrogenated by the copper to propionic aldehyde, allyl alcohol and propyl alcohol accompanied by condensation products due to the crotonization of the aldehydes. Ethyl alcohol is the chief constituent of the liquid. 57 5. DEHYDROGENATION OF AMINES 681. Primary Amines. We have seen that nickel permits us to add hydrogen to nitriles at 200 to form primary amines (426). We may expect that it will reverse this reaction at higher temperatures and take hydrogen away from a primary amine derived from a primary alcohol, to reform the nitrile: R.CH 2 .NH 2 = 2H 2 + R.CN. 66 LEMOINE, Butt. Soc. Chim. (4), 3, 851 and 935 (1908). " GRIMAUX, Butt. Soc. Chim. (2), 49, 251 (1888). 67 SABATIEB and GAUDION, Compt. rend., 166, 1037 (1918). 243 DEHYDROGENATION 683 This is what takes place with benzyl-amine, with amyl-amine as well as with other primary aliphatic amines derived from primary alcohols having at least five carbon atoms. 68 When the vapors of benzyl-amine alone are passed over a layer of reduced nickel maintained at 300-50, benzonitrile, CeHB.CN, is formed. But at this temperature the liberated hydrogen reacts with the amine to give toluene and ammonia (496), so that the evolution of gas is a minimum. We may write the reaction: 3C 6 H 5 .CH 2 .NH 2 = C 6 H 5 .CN + 2C 6 H 5 .CH 3 + 2NH 3 . The yield of benzonitrile is about one third. Likewise at 300 isoamyl-amine yields isobutyl cyanide according to the reaction: 3(CH 3 ) 2 CH.CH 2 .CH 2 .NH 2 = (CH 3 ) 2 CH.CH 2 .CN + 2C 6 H 12 + 2NH 3 . The isopentane produced is partially destroyed by the nickel, de- positing carbon and liberating hydrogen and lower hydrocarbons. The reaction goes poorly with amines derived from primary alco- hols having less than five carbon atoms, since with these amines nickel has a strong tendency to eliminate ammonia with the formation of ethylenic hydrocarbons (631). 59 When copper is used in place of nickel between 390 and 400, much more complex products are obtained somewhat similar to those obtained by the hydrogenation of aliphatic nitro compounds (510). 682. Secondary and Tertiary Amines. Secondary and tertiary amines derived from primary alcohols also furnish nitriles when passed over nickel at 320-50, by the simultaneous elimination of hydrogen and ethylenic hydrocarbons. Thus from di-isoamyl-amine and tri-isoamyl-amine, isobutyl cyanide is obtained. 60 6. SYNTHESIS OF AMINES 683. When a mixture of ammonia and benzene vapor is heated to 550 without catalyst, a slight formation of aniline is observed according to the reaction : 61 CA + NH 3 = H 2 + C 6 H 6 .NH 2 . 68 SABATIER and GAUDION, Cvmpt. rend., 165, 224 (1917). 69 SABATIER and GAUDION, Compt. rend., 165, 310 (1917). 60 MAILHE and DE GODON, Compt. rend., 165, 557 (1917). MAILHE, Ibid., 166, 996 (1918). 61 MEYER and TAUZEN, Berichte, 46, 3183 (1913). 684 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 244 With hydrogen in presence of nickel above 350, aniline vapors regenerate a certain amount of benzene and ammonia by the reversal of the above reaction (496). 62 It might be hoped that the direct production of aniline from ben- zene vapor and ammonia would be feasible by the use of metal cata- lysts at 500 to 700. It has been found that the presence of reduced nickel, iron or copper is of no advantage, as only traces of aniline are produced. Likewise only traces of toluidine are obtained from toluene. In the most favorable case working with nickeled asbestos in an iron tube, 0.11 g. aniline was obtained from 200 g. benzene. 63 7. CLOSING OF RINGS BY LOSS OF HYDROGEN 684. Nickel. Methyl-o. toluidine, submitted to the action of re- duced nickel at 300-30 (in presence of hydrogen), loses hydrogen to form a new cycle, yielding above 6 % of indol along with methane and o.toluidine: 64 /CH 3 X CH V CeH/ -> C 6 H/ )CH \NH.CH 3 \NH/ Likewise dimethyl-o. toluidine , at 300, yields 24% of N-methyl- indol along with methane, toluidine and methyl-toluidine: 65 /CH 3 X CH \ CeH/ -> CeH/ >CH \N(CH 3 ) 2 \N.CH 3 685. Aluminum Chloride. The use of anhydrous aluminum chlo- ride at moderate temperatures, between 80 and 140, causes the elim- ination of hydrogen with the formation of new cycles. a-Dinaphthyl yields perylene: 66 Likewise at 140, meso-benzo-dianthrone passes quantitatively into meso-naphtho-dianthrone: 87 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 4, 415 (1905). WIBAUT, Berichte, 50, 541 (1917). 64 CARBASCO and PADOA, Lincei, 15 (2), 699 (1906). 65 CARRASCO and PADOA, Gaz. Chim. Ital., 37 (2), 49 (1907). SCROLL, SEER, and WELTZENBOCK, Berichte, 43, 2203 (1910). T SCHOLL and MANSFIELD, Berichte, 43, 1737 (1910). 245 DEHYDROGENATION 686 At 140 phenyl-a-naphthyl-ketone gives a good yield of benzanthrone: Q This is a typical example of many analogous reactions that can be readily carried out by this process. 68 686. Metallic Oxides. Various anhydrous metallic oxides, alu- mina, ferric oxide, chromium trioxide, thoria, and titania can cause the condensation of acetylene with various molecules with the elinv ination of hydrogen and the formation of cyclic compounds. With ammonia pyrrol, picoline and collidines are formed, there being no hydrogen evolved in the formation of the latter: 2C 2 H 2 + NH 3 = H 2 3C 2 H 2 + NH 3 - H 2 picoline 4C 2 H 2 + NH 8 = C 8 HnN collidine Ferric oxide is the best catalyst for forming pyrrol. When ethylene is used instead of acetylene, the same products are formed but at higher temperatures and with the evolution of much hydrogen. Hydrogen sulphide gives thiophene: 2C 2 H 2 + H 2 S = H 2 + C 4 H4S. At 400-425, water vapor forms furfural: 69 2C 2 H 2 + H 2 - H 2 + C 4 H 4 O. " SCROLL and SEER, Sitz. Akad. Wien, 120, 11, B, 925 (1911). ANN ALEN, 394, HI (1912). " CHICHIBABINE, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 47, 703 (1915), C. A., 9, 2512 1915). CHAPTER XV DEHYDRATION 687. THERE are a large number of organic reactions which take place with the elimination of water. Many of them can be started or accelerated by the presence of so-called dehydration catalysts. As might be anticipated from the great variety of reactions of this kind, dehydration catalysts comprise many substances of very different natures, elements (phosphorus, carbon, and finely divided metals), strong mineral acids (sulphuric, hydrochloric, phosphoric, etc.), either concentrated or dilute, anhydrides of acids (phosphoric and boric), anhydrous chlorides (of aluminum, zinc and iron), various inorganic salts (ammonium salts, potassium bisulphate, calcium and aluminum sulphates, phosphates, etc.), organic acids (acetic), as well as their salts (potassium and sodium acetates). We can distinguish two distinct modes of dehydration according to whether it takes place in the gas phase by the action of solid cata- lysts on the vapors which are to give up the water or in the liquid medium. We will study the two separately. 1. DEHYDRATION OF ALCOHOLS ALONE 688. Primary alcohols can undergo dehydration in two different ways : to produce an ether or a hydrocarbon, usually unsaturated. Thus with ordinary alcohol, we have : 2CH 3 .CH 2 OH = H 2 + (CH 3 .CH 2 ) 2 O ethyl ether and CH 3 . CH 2 OH = H 2 O + CH 2 : CH 2 . ethylene Benzyl alcohol gives : 2C 6 H 5 .CH 2 OH = H 2 + (C 6 H 6 .CH 2 ) 2 O benzyl ether or nC 6 H 6 CH 2 OH = nH 2 O + (C 6 H 5 .CH) n resinous hydrocarbon Methyl alcohol is an exception, as it can be dehydrated regularly in only one way, that is to form methyl ether, (CH 3 ) 2 0. Secondary alcohols, the dehydration of which is easier, yield ethers in exceptional cases only (e.g. benzhydrol), usually producing hydro- carbons. 246 247 DEHYDRATION 691 The ethers can seldom be obtained from tertiary alcohols, as these are dehydrated to the hydrocarbons with still greater ease. 689. These dehydrations can be accomplished by a multitude of substances, that have affinity for water, used in excess compared with the alcohol that is to be dehydrated. But if the hydrates formed are unstable at the temperature of the operation, water is given off, regenerating the original substance which can repeat the reaction with a fresh quantity of alcohol. This is what takes place with zinc chloride and with concentrated sulphuric acid of which a small quantity when heated can dehydrate a large amount of alcohol. We have explained above (159) the mechanism of the action of sulphuric acid which produces either ethyl ether or ethylene from alco- hol according to temperature conditions. It can continue its cata- lytic role for a long time, but is gradually diminished by being reduced to sulphur dioxide, since it slowly oxidizes the alcohol with the pro- duction of carbon dioxide and of tarry matters. Syrupy phosphoric acid can produce an entirely analogous effect, and, as it is less readily reduced than sulphuric acid, can maintain its catalytic activity for a much longer time.. 1 ' 2 Formation of Ethers 690. The formation of ethers by the direct dehydration of alcohols is possible in only a small number of cases and only with primary alcohols. In the case of methyl alcohol this is the only possible manner of dehydration and a considerable number of catalysts can decompose its vapors into methyl ether and water, but they are very much less numerous than the substances which can dehydrate other alcohols to hydrocarbons. 691. Formation in Liquid Medium. Concentrated sulphuric acid is usually employed to dehydrate methyl alcohol to methyl ether. s Zinc chloride is not suitable for this reaction as it gives gaseous products by a complicated reaction and even produces a certain amount of hexamethyl-benzene.* Ethyl ether is practically prepared by the action of sulphuric acid at 140*. A mixture of 5 parts of 90% ethyl alcohol and 9 parts of 1 SABATIEK and MAILHE, Bull. Soc. Chim. (4), 1, 524, (1907). 2 This is used for preparing ethylene on a commercial scale. E. E. R. 3 DUMAS and PELIGOT, Ann. Chim. Phys. (2), 68, 19 (1835). 4 LE BEL and GREENE, Compt. rend., 87, 260 (1878). Jahresber. Chem., 1878, 388. 692 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 248 concentrated sulphuric acid is used. This mixture boils at about 140. When it is heated to 140, ether distils over and alcohol is added at such a rate that the boiling point does not rise. A large amount of alcohol can be transformed into ether in this way. The volume of the ether may be more than 167 times that of the sulphuric acid used. 5 Theoretically the formation should continue indefinitely, but the yield decreases after a certain time on account of the production of a car- bonaceous residue which may amount to 5% of the acid and the for- mation of which corresponds to the evolution of a considerable amount of sulphur dioxide. The best yield of ether is obtained between 140 and 145, as above that temperature more and more ethylene is formed. 6 Phosphoric or arsenic acid may replace the sulphuric acid in this preparation. 7 Anhydrous zinc chloride also may be used. 8 Concentrated sulphuric acid at 135 produces propyl ether from the alcohol but the yield is poor because much propylene is formed. The higher alcohols such as isobutyl do not yield ethers with con- centrated sulphuric acid but only the ethylenic hydrocarbons. 9 Never- theless, isoamyl ether can be thus obtained (696). Sometimes sulphuric acid at 140 enables us to obtain mixed ethers by operating on a mixture of the two alcohols. This is the case with methyl and ethyl alcohols which yield the mixed methyl-ethyl ether along with the two simple ethers. In the same way ethyl-propyl ether may be obtained, but ethyl-isobutyl can not be. Ethyl-isoamyl ether, which several chemists have failed to obtain, 10 can be prepared along with the two simple ethers by the action of 85% sulphuric acid at 135-140. " The mixed ethyl-tertiary-butyl ether can be obtained by heating 50 volumes of a mixture of two molecules of ethyl alcohol and one of trimethyl-carbinol with one volume of sulphuric acid in a sealed tube at 100 for 5 hours. 12 692. Although it is a secondary alcohol, benzhydrol, C 6 H 5 .CH(OH).- C 6 H 5 , is readily transformed into its ether: it is sufficient to heat it to 180 with 27% sulphuric acid. 13 6 EVANS and SUTTON, Jour. Amer. Chem. Soc., 36, 794 (1913). 6 NORTON and PBESCOTT, Amer. Chem. Jour., 6, 243 (1884). 7 BOULAY, Gilbert's Annalen, 44, 270 (1913). 8 MASSON, Annalen, 31, 63, (1839). 9 NORTON and PRESCOTT, Amer. Chem. Jour., 6, 244 (1884). 10 GUTHRIE, Annalen, 105, 37 (1858). NORTON and PRESCOTT, Amer. Chem. Jour., 6, 246 (1884). 11 PETER, Berichte, 32, 1419 (1899). 12 MAMONTOFF, J. Russian Phys. C em. Soc., 29, 234 (1897), C., 1897 (2), 408. 13 ZAQUMENNI, /. Russian Phys. Chm. Soc., 12, 431 (1880), C., 1880, 629. 249 DEHYDRATION 696 The ether may be obtained also by heating benzhydrol to 210- 220 with finely divided copper. 14 693. Formation in Gaseous Phase. Among anhydrous metallic oxides, only alumina precipitated and dried at a low temperature effects the transformation of methyl alcohol into methyl ether exclusively. The reaction commences at about 250 and is rapid at 300, yielding methyl ether which can be completely absorbed by concentrated sulphuric acid. At about 350 the dehydration is accom- panied by a slight dehydrogenation, the aldehyde produced being immediately decomposed into carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Thoria, blue oxide of tungsten and chromium sesquioxide can dehy- drate methyl alcohol to the ether above 230 but there is simultaneous dehydrogenation to the aldehyde and its decomposition products. The latter reaction is still more important with titania and takes place almost exclusively with other catalytic oxides, such as the oxides of zirconium, molybdenum, and vanadium. 16 694. Alone among the oxides, alumina at 240 enables us to obtain ethyl ether from ethyl alcohol. A little ethylene is evolved. A 90% alcohol may be used. With propyl alcohol at 250 it gives a little propyl ether but forms propylene chiefly. It can not produce the other ethers. 16 In the apparatus of Ipatief, under high pressures, alumina can transform ethyl alcohol into the ether, but the formation is limited by the reverse reaction. At higher temperatures only ethylene is produced. 17 Ethyl ether is totally decomposed into water and ethylene by alumina at 380. 18 Dehydration to Hydrocarbons 695. The dehydration of a single molecule to give a hydrocarbon with an ethylene double bond is the normal reaction of alcohols and also of ethers. Reaction in Liquid Medium. This may readily be accomplished by concentrated non-volatile mineral acids and also by anhydrous zinc chloride. 696. Concentrated Mineral Acids. A small proportion of con- centrated sulphuric acid used at a temperature high enough to eliminate the water produced serves to prepare advantageously the lower eth- ylenic hydrocarbons which are gases, ethylene, propylene, and butylene. 14 KNOEVENAGEL and HECKEL, Berichte, 36, 2823 (1903). 16 SABATIER and MAILHE, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 20, 345 (1910). 16 SENDERENS, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 25, 449 (1912). 17 IPATIEF, Berichte, 37, 2961 (1904). 18 ENGELDER, J. Phys. Chem., 21, 676 (1917). 697 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 250 To obtain ethylene, a mixture of 25 parts of alcohol and 150 parts of sulphuric acid is heated to 160-70 and a mixture of alcohol and sulphuric acid is added in drops. 19 The evolution of gas is facilitated by the addition of a certain amount of fine quartz sand to the mixture. According to Senderens, this acts as a true chemical catalyst. According to the same author the results are still better when 5% of anhydrous aluminum sulphate is added to the usual mixture of alcohol and sulphuric acid. With ethyl alcohol at 157 the evolution of ethylene is thus rendered three times as rapid and propylene is formed at 130 instead of 145; iso- butyl alcohol is split at 125 . 20 21 From 1500 cc. isoamyl alcohol and 100 cc. sulphuric acid in a vessel provided with a reflux condenser kept at 60-90 followed by a condenser for the amylene, 250 g. of amylene (a mixture of the 3 isomers) may be prepared in 8 hours. The alcohol remaining in the flask contains 400 g. isoamyl ether. 22 Concentrated phosphoric acid may replace sulphuric acid in these dehydrations. 697. Under analogous conditions the dehydration of molecules with mixed function may be catalyzed. Thus diacetonyl alcohol, (CH 3 ) 2 C(OH).CH 2 .CO.CH3, warmed with traces of sulphuric acid (6 drops to 290 g. of the alcohol), furnishes mesityl oxide, (CH 3 ) 2 C : CH.CO.CHa, with a high yield (190 g.) on distillation. 23 698. Zinc Chloride. Anhydrous fused zinc chloride is very often employed to effect the transformation of alcohols into ethylene hydro- carbons, but it is commonly used in excess, that is in amount more than sufficient to fix as a stable hydrate all of the water that is eliminated. The same action can be exercised by the catalyst when the alcohol has a high boiling point as the alcohols of the cyclohexane series; a small quantity of the chloride serves to dehydrate these to cyclohexenes since the water that is extracted is eliminated by dis- tillation along with the hydrocarbon so that the catalyst is continu- ously regenerated. 699. Iodine. In exceptional cases, iodine serves to effect the regu- 19 ERLENMEYEB, Annalen, 192, 244 (1878). 20 SENDERENS, Compt. rend., 151, 392 (1910). 21 Following the observations of SENDERENS, the following method of preparing ethylene has been devised and has given excellent service. In a 500 c.c. flask 200 c.c. cone, sulphuric acid, 100 c.c. 95 % alcohol and 25 g. of dehydrated alum are heated to 157 to 175, the thermometer dipping in the mixture. One operator repeated this five times in an afternoon and obtained 667 g. ethylene bromide. E. E. R. 22 ADAMS, KAMM, and MARVEL, Jour. Amer. Chem. Soc., 40, 1950 (1918). 28 KOHN, Monatsh. Chem., 34, 7T9 (1913). 251 DEHYDRATION 702 lar dehydration of compounds containing alcohol groups. Diacetonyl alcohol, (CH 3 ) 2 C(OH).CH2.CO.CH3, which distillation alone breaks down partially into two molecules of acetone, is dehydrated by sul- phuric acid to mesityl oxide (697). The same dehydration takes place quantitatively when it is distilled with a small amount of iodine. 24 700. Reaction in Gaseous System. This can be effected by a large number of solid catalysts among which the best are alumina, clay, thoria and the blue oxide of tungsten. Elements. Animal charcoal, extracted with hydrochloric acid, is a rather mediocre catalyst for alcohols : above 350 it produces ethylene from ethyl alcohol, accompanied by a certain amount of methane, car- bon monoxide and hydrogen resulting from the formation of acetal- dehyde which is mostly destroyed. Propyl alcohol, above 300, gives a gas of which 87 % is propylene, with ethylene and other gaseous products. 25 Red phosphorus acts more rapidly at much lower temperatures and probably owes this activity to small amounts of phosphorus and phosphoric acids preexistent in the material and which are formed in considerable amounts in consequence of the oxidation of the phos- phorus by the alcohol with a correlative production of phosphine. With ethyl alcohol at 240, a rapid evolution of ethylene is obtained containing 5% phosphine. Similar results are obtained with propyl alcohol. The proportion of phosphine is less with normal and iso-butyl alcohols and negligible with isopropyl alcohol which is already split at 150. The presence of phosphine, which is difficult to get rid of, takes away much of the interest in this case of catalysis. 701. Finely divided metals have an important catalytic dehydro- genating effect on primary and secondary alcohols (651); but they decompose tertiary alcohols rapidly at moderate temperatures into unsaturated hydrocarbons. Reduced nickel acts in this way without complications at 220 to 300 and reduced copper acts similarly above 280 to 300 . 26 Passing an aliphatic alcohol over copper at 300 is a simple method of determining its class. A primary alcohol forms an aldehyde, a secondary one a ketone, while a tertiary breaks up into water and an unsaturated hydrocarbon. 27 702. Anhydrous Metal Oxides. Grigoreff in 1901 was the first to note the special aptitude of an oxide to dehydrate alcohols : he found 24 HIBBERT, Jour. Amer. Chem. Soc., 37, 1748 (1915). 25 SENDERENS, Compt. rend., 144, 381 (1907). 26 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 4, 467 and 472 (1905). 27 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Bull. Soc. Chim. (3), 33, 263 (1905). 702 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 252 that alumina decomposes ethyl and propyl alcohols to the hydrocar- bons with 90% yields. 28 This property of alumina was studied by Ipatief and found also in the material of graphite crucibles, which is a mixture of graphite (inactive) and clay, while other oxides (of zinc, iron, tin, chromium, etc.) were revealed as dehydrogenating catalysts. 29 The catalytic activity of various oxides was made the object of a thorough study by Sabatier and Mailhe, 30 who were able to demon- strate the great dehydrating power of thoria and of the blue oxide of tungsten. We have already noted (675) that the oxides that are not reducible, or only slowly reducible, by alcohols can be divided into dehydrogenating, dehydrating, and mixed catalysts which cause both reactions simultaneously. The direction and the importance of the activity of the various oxides can be clearly shown by a comparison of the volume and com- position of the gas evolved by them, when equal volumes of them are used at 340-50 with the same amount of ethyl alcohol; all of the oxides having been prepared below 350 : 31 Dehydrating Mixed Dehydrogenating < Oxide gas ThO 2 .... Volume of in cc. per min. . . 31 Composition C 2 H 4 % H 2 % 100 trace 98.5 1.5 98.5 1.5 A1 2 3 . . . 21 W 2 5 .... . . 57 [Cr 2 3 ... 4.2 91 84 63 9 16 37 Si0 2 .... 0.9 Ti0 2 7.0 BeO .... 1.0 45 45 55 55 Zr0 2 10 UO 2 14 24 23 14 9 5 76 77 86 91 95 Mo 2 6 . . . 5 Fe 2 3 . . . . 32 14 ZnO 6 [MnO .... iMeO . 3.5 traces 100 100 28 GRIGOREFF, /. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 33, 173 (1901). 29 IPATIEF, Berichte, 34, 596 (1901); 35, 1047 (1902); 36, 1990 (1903). 80 SABATIER and MAILHE, Bull. Soc. Chim. (4), i, 107, 341, 524 and 733 (1907). Compt. rend., 146, 1376 (1908); 147, 16 and 106 (1908); 148, 1734 (1909). Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 20, 289 (1910). 81 SABATIER and MAILHE, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 20, 341 (1910). 253 DEHYDRATION 707 703. We have noted (76) that the physical condition and the method of preparation of an oxide have a great influence on its ac- tivity and even on the direction of the catalysis. These differences are very marked for the various varieties of chromium sesquioxide (78) the only one of which that is suitable for the dehydration of alcohols is that obtained by drying the precipitated blue hydrated hydroxide below 350. 704. Titanium oxide, TiO 2 , prepared by calcining at a red heat has very little activity. To obtain a suitable oxide, the hydroxide prepared by the action of ammonia on titanium chloride is dehydrated below 350 . 32 705. Crystallized silica is almost without action on alcohols below 400. The pure silica obtained by decomposing silicon fluoride by water, washing thoroughly and drying at 300, is also only slightly active. The most active form is obtained by adding dilute acid to sodium silicate, washing and drying the gelatinous precipitate. 706. The most active form of alumina is prepared by precipita- tion from aluminum nitrate, washing the precipitate well and drying at 300. Good results are also obtained with the oxide prepared by calcining pure ammonium alum at red heat. The basic aluminum sulphate obtained by calcining aluminum sulphate at a dull red is a very active catalyst. On the contrary, preparations of alumina which have been heated to redness for a long time are almost inactive and sometimes do not give an appreciable amount of gas from ethyl alcohol even at 420 . 33 Bauxite, aluminum hydroxide mingled with silica and ferric hy- droxide, has low catalytic power and dehydrogenates chiefly at about 400 . 34 The nature of the reaction catalyzed is closely connected with the condition of the oxide and bears a certain relation to its ease of solution in acids. 35 707. Thoria, on the contrary, does not present these difficulties and its catalytic activity is not sensibly diminished by calcination at 82 SABATIER and MAILHB, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 20, 325 (1910). 88 SABATIER and MAILHE, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 20, 300 (1910). 54 Samples of bauxite from different sources differ widely in catalytic power. With isoamyl alcohol a sample of German bauxite gave gaseous products but poor yields of amylene, while a Tennessee sample gave little gas and an excellent yield of amylene. The bauxite was used in a copper tube 35 x 900 mm. at about 400, the alcohol being admitted at about 100 drops per minute. Several pounds of amylene were thus prepared. C. H. Milligan. 86 IPATIEF, Berichte, 37, 2986 (1904). 708 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 254 red heat : it seems that its high molecular weight may be in the way of molecular condensations such as alumina appears to undergo when heated to redness. 36 708. There are great differences in the duration of the catalytic activity of various oxides; usually it goes on decreasing because the surface of the oxide is gradually covered by small amounts of tarry or carbonaceous matter which hinder gaseous exchanges and also because molecular condensations take place in the oxides, without doubt, even when the temperature of the reaction is below 400. If we consider only the three good dehydration catalysts, alumina, thoria, and the blue oxide of tungsten, alumina, the lightest molecule (Al 2 0a, molec- ular weight 92) is the one which weakens most rapidly. An active specimen which disengaged 14 cc. ethylene per minute at 340, gave only 7 cc. after three hours of use. 37 However certain observers have found no weakening after five hours. 38 39 The blue oxide of tungsten is much more permanent : the evolution of gas may continue for several hours without noticeable weakening. The same is true of thoria which has the great additional advantage of being very readily regenerated when long usage has gummed it up ; calcining at a red heat for a few instants is sufficient to render it perfectly white and restore its original activity. 40 709. For a given catalyst, elevating the temperature greatly accel- erates the reaction. By operating under the same conditions with ethyl alcohol and the blue oxide of tungsten, it has been found that the evolution of ethylene begins at about 250 and becomes more and more rapid as the temperature rises. The yield per minute was : 36 In the catalytic preparation of mercaptans, KRAMER and REID (/. Amer. Chem. Soc. 43, 882 (1921)) find that the activity of a thoria catalyst depends some- what on the temperature to which it has been subjected, being considerably di- minished by heating much above 400. Some preparations of thoria such as Wels- bach gas mantles and the extremely voluminous product obtained by dropping thorium nitrate into a red hot crucible are absolutely inactive so far as this reaction is concerned. E. E. R. 37 SABATIER and MAILHE, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 20, 299 (1910). 88 ENGELDER, /. Phys. Chem., 21, 676 (1917). 39 I have used the same alumina catalyst for many days in making ethylene without noticing any deterioration. E. E. R. 40 A thoria catalyst may be cleaned by passing steam over it at 380 till all volatile material is removed and following this with nitrogen peroxide at the same temperature as long as there is any action, the oxides of nitrogen being finally displaced by steam. A catalyst so regenerated is snow white and shows its origi- nal activity. KRAMER and REID, J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 43, 884 (1921). 255 DEHYDRATION 713 Temperature 260 C.c. per minute 5 300 17.5 310 ... 27 330 48.5 340 57.5 370 73 But it must be remembered that for any given oxide, the elevation of the temperature tends to introduce and make more and more prom- inent the reaction of dehydrogenation. Thus at 340 titania produces practically pure ethylene from alcohol, but at 340 with a more rapid evolution of gas there is some hydrogen, while at 360 the hydrogen amounts to one third of the gas. 41 Above 400 the gas produced may contain ethane along with the hydrogen. 42 710. The presence of water in the alcohol is unfavorable to dehy- dration but does not interfere with dehydrogenation. Thus with alcohol diluted with its own volume of water, alumina gives a gas containing twice as much hydrogen as with absolute alcohol. 42 711. Increase of pressure retards the dehydration of alcohols, or rather raises the temperature at which this takes place; the inter- mediate production of the ether from primary alcohols is favored by increase of pressure which is unfavorable to the separation of the hydrocarbon. 43 712. The dehydration of alcohols higher than propyl, effected by oxides or by other catalysts, usually leads to the production of several isomeric unsaturated hydrocarbons and frequently also to the for- mation of a certain proportion of polymers (211). 713. Alumina. The best results are obtained with alumina precipi- tated from aluminum nitrate by ammonia, well washed and dried at 300. The dehydration of methyl alcohol begins at about 250 and is rapid below 300, yielding exclusively methyl ether absorbable by con- centrated sulphuric acid. At about 350, the ether is accompanied by a small amount of aldehyde, a little of which is condensed, and hydro- gen is collected containing carbon monoxide resulting from the partial decomposition of the formaldehyde. With ethyl alcohol, ether is formed above 240 and at 290 pure ethylene is evolved regularly, this evolution becoming rapid at 340. 41 SABATIER and MAILHE, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 20, 325 (1910). 42 ENGELDER, J. Phys. Chem., 21, 676 (1917). 43 IPATIEF, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 36, 786- and 813 (1904), C., 1904 (2), 1020 and 38, 63 and 92 (1906), C., 1906 (2), 86 and 87. 714 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 256 It is not necessary to go beyond 360 where the ethylene begins to be decomposed and where its evolution slows down rather rapidly on account of the weakening of the catalyst. 44 Propyl alcohol gives a regular current of propylene above 300 without any of the ether. Normal and iso-butyl alcohols likewise give a regular evolution of hydrocarbons entirely absorbable by sulphuric acid. Both yield mixtures of the isomeric hydrocarbons, C4H 8 . 45 However, Ipatief obtained pure isobutylene from isobutyl alcohol. 46 With isoamyl alcohol, the dehydration goes readily, the best yield being obtained between 500 and 540. The product contains several isomeric hydrocarbons, C B Hi , but the proportion of isopropyl-ethylene is greater than in the dehydration by sulphuric acid. 47 At 450, secondary butyl alcohol gives pure butylene and tertiary butyl alcohol, or trimethyl-carbinol, yields only isobutylene. 48 At a dull red, allyl alcohol evolves quite pure propylene with a cor- relative production of acrole'ine.* 9 714. Benzyl alcohol is readily dehydrated at above 300 to form the yellowish resinous hydrocarbon (C 7 H 6 ) X , without evolution of gas. 50 Other primary, secondary, or tertiary aromatic alcohols are read- ily dehydrated by alumina without complications below 350, with the production of the corresponding unsaturated hydrocarbons. Thus phenyl-benzyl-carbinol, C 6 H 5 . CH (OH) . CH 2 . C 6 H 5 , yields stilbene, C 6 H 5 . - CH:CH.C 6 H 5 , quantitatively. 51 Borneol gives menthene and the various secondary or tertiary cyclohexyl alcohols are readily changed to the corresponding cyclohexene hydrocarbons. Thus cyclohexanol is entirely transformed into cyclo- hexene and 1 .2-dimethyl-cyclohexanol yields 1.2-dimethyl-cyclohexene. 52 At 350 and 30 to 40 atmospheres with alumina, decahydronaphthol yields octahydronaphthalene, CioHw, boiling at 197. 53 715. Blue Oxide of Tungsten. Tungstic oxide is readily reduced by alcohol vapors above 250 and brought to the blue oxide, inter- mediate between W0 3 and WO 2 , approaching the composition W 2 5 44 SPRENT, /. Soc. Chem. Ind., 32, 171 (1913). 46 SENDERENS, Bull Soc. Chim. (4), i, 692 (1907). 46 IPATIEF and SDZITOWECKY, Berichte, 40, 1827 (1907). 47 ADAMS, KAMM and MARVEL, J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 40, 1950 (1918). 48 IPATIEF and SDZITOWECKY, Berichte, 40, 1827 (1907). 49 KRESTINSKY and NIKITINE, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 44, 471 (1912). 60 SABATIER and MAILHE, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 20, 298 (1910). 61 SABATIER and MURAT, Ann. Chim. (9), 4, 284 (1915). 62 IPATIEF and RUTALA, /. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 44, 1692 (1912). 68 IPATIEF, Berichte, 43, 3383 (1910). 257 DEHYDRATION 717 more and more nearly, and which on exposure to the air, after cooling, reoxidizes spontaneously, more or less rapidly regenerating the original yellow oxide. This blue oxide is a mediocre catalyst for methyl alcohol which it does not attack till 330, dehydrating and dehydrogenating it simul- taneously, but is an excellent dehydration catalyst, very active and very regular, for other alcohols. 54 By using a train of blue tungsten oxide 51 cm. long at 340 and vaporizing 17 g. of alcohol per hour a regular evolution of 101 cc. ethylene per minute containing only 1 or 2% of hydrogen, was obtained, 5.1 g. of the alcohol escaping decom- position. By doubling the rate of flow of the alcohol the evolution of gas reached 140 cc. per minute. At 320, propyl, isobutyl and isoamyl alcohols give good yields of the unsaturated hydrocarbons, and benzyl alcohol is rapidly trans- formed into crusts of the yellow polymer (714). 716. Thoria. For all the alcohols, except methyl, thoria is a very regular catalyst, the properties of which have already been mentioned (708). With ethyl alcohol, the reaction begins around 280 and is readily accelerated by rise of temperature. By using a boat containing 4.7 g. thoria, at 325, 11 cc., and at 350, 31 cc. of practically pure ethylene were obtained per minute. The results are equally good with propyl and isobutyl alcohols and with the other alcohols mentioned under alumina. The secondary alcohol, isopropyl, begins to yield propylene at 260. 717. Mineral Salts. Clay, or hydrated aluminum silicate, and par- ticularly the white variety, kaolin, has a remarkable dehydrating power with alcohols. 55 The fragments of a graphite crucible (a mixture of graphite and clay) gave Ipatief a good yield of unsaturated hydrocarbons from alcohols. 56 In 1906, Bouveault noted the special activity of clay and designed an apparatus for using it for the dehydration of various alcohols quite similar to that which he employed for their dehydrogenation over copper (654). The catalyst consisted of clay balls about 1 cc. in volume, dried at 300 in a current of air and packed in the 1 m. ver- tical tube of the apparatus in which about 1 k. of alcohol per day could be dehydrated. Ethyl, propyl, isobutyl and cyclohexyl alcohols 54 SABATIER and MAILHE, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 20, 328 (1910). 66 Kaolin was used as catalyst in preparation of ethylene at Edgwood Arsenal, U. S. A., during the war. E. E. R. 6 IPATIEF, Berichte, 36, 1990 (1903). 718 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 258 are readily dehydrated by this means. In the case of isoamyl alcohol the hydrocarbons are isomerized as with alumina or zinc chloride. 57 All aluminum salts have more or less of the catalytic power of alumina. The basic aluminum sulphates obtained by calcining neutral aluminum sulphate at a dull red 58 and likewise the mixtures of these with alkali sulphates obtained by calcining potassium and sodium alums have this power. 718. Calcium sulphate is a mediocre catalyst. When obtained by calcining gypsum at a moderate temperature, it gives with alcohol at 420 an evolution of ethylene containing 6 % of hydrogen, while if it is prepared at a red heat, it gives a very slow evolution of hydrogen containing 14 % of ethylene at 460 . 59 719. Aluminum phosphate is recommended as a good catalyst by Senderens, who explains this aptitude as a sort of culmination of the catalytic power of alumina and that of phosphorus. 60 Ethyl alcohol is decomposed above 330 and rapidly at 380. With propyl, dehy- dration commences at 300 and is rapid at 340; with butyl, the re- action is important at 320. Isoamyl alcohol is attacked at above 300, while 250 is high enough to decompose isopropyl, which goes rapidly at 300. The decomposition of trimethyl-carbinol begins at 140. 61 720. The Case of Benzhydrol. We have noted above (692), that benzhydrol, C 6 H 5 CH (OH) C 6 H 5 , heated to 210 with copper powder gives the ether, ( (C 6 H 6 ) 2 CH) 2 O, in 75 % yield instead of benzophenone. At a higher temperature, 290, copper powder produces benzophenone chiefly with a slow evolution of hydrogen, along with a little of the ether and of diphenylmethane. 62 In fact the alcohol is dehydrogenated to benzophenone but the liberated hydrogen is used for the most part immediately to form diphenylmethane and particularly symmetrical tetraphenyl-ethane : C 6 H 5 .CH(OH).C 6 H5 = H 2 + C 6 H 6 .CO.C 6 H 5 C 6 H 5 .CO.C 6 H5 + 2H 2 = H 2 + C 6 H 5 . CH 2 . C 6 H 5 2C 6 H 5 .CO.C 6 H5 + 3H 2 = 2H 2 O + (C 6 H 5 )2CH.CH(C 6 H 5 ) 2 Dehydrating catalysts lead to the same result as copper. The vapors of benzhydrol passed over thoria at 420 give, without elimi- nation of hydrogen, a mixture of benzophenone, diphenylmethane and sym.tetraphenyl-ethane with the separation of water simply. 83 67 BOTTVEAULT, Bull. Soc. Chim. (4), 3, 117 (1908). 68 SABATIER and MAILHE, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 20, 300 (1910). 69 SENDERENS, Bull. Soc. Chim. (4), 3, 633 (1908). 60 SENDERENS, Bull. Soc. Chim. (4), i, 690 (1907). 61 SENDERENS, Compt. rend., 144, 1109 (1907). 62 KNOEVENAGEL and HECKEL, Berichte, 36, 2816 (1903). 83 SABATIER and MURAT, Ann. Chim. (9), 4, 282 (1915). 259 DEHYDRATION 723 721. Catalytic Passage from an Alcohol to the Corresponding Hydrocarbon. This passage is realized easily in two successive steps : 1st dehydration of the alcohol over alumina or thoria to the unsat- urated hydrocarbon; 2nd hydrogenation of this hydrocarbon over a slightly active nickel at 200-50 : alcohol A large number of syntheses of hydrocarbons in this way have been reported by Sabatier and Murat; for example, uns.diphenyl-ethane (C6H 5 ) 2 CH.CH 3 was prepared from methyl-diphenyl-carbinol, (CeH^- C(OH).CI1 3 . 64 722. The two reactions can be superimposed by submitting the alcohols to the simultaneous action of alumina and nickel, but a nec- essary condition is that the two reactions can be carried on at the same temperature which is usually impracticable at the ordinary pres- sure. They can be readily carried on simultaneously in the apparatus of Ipatief (585). Thus fenchyl alcohol (40 g.) with alumina (1.5 g.) and nickel oxide (2.5 g.) with hydrogen at 110 atmospheres for 40 hours at 230 gave a good yield of fenchane, boiling at 162, and carvomenthol gave menthane. Camphor, when treated under the same conditions at 220, is changed into isocamphene, melting at 63. The succession is doubt- less : 65 camphor borneol Catalytic Dehydration of Poly-alcohols 723. It is seldom that the dehydration of poly-alcohols leads to hydrocarbons; aldehydes and ketones are commonly formed. However, it has been found that when the vapors of %-methyl- butane-diol(l .3) are passed over kaolin at above 400, isoprene is formed : 66 HOCH 2 .CH(CH 3 ) .CH(OH) .CH 3 = 2H 2 O + CH 2 : C(CH 3 ) .CH : CH 2 . Quinite, C 6 Hi (OH)2, submitted to the action of alumina at 350 and 30 to 40 atmospheres pressure, is dehydrated to dihydro-benzene, 64 SABATIER and MURAT, Ann. Chim. (9), 4, 254 (1915). IPATIEF and MATOW, Berichte, 45, 3205 (1912). 6 KYRIAKIDES and EARLE, U. S. Patents, 1,094,222, 1,094,223 and 1,106,290. 724 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 260 , along with some tetrahydro-phenol, CeH 9 . OH, resulting from the incomplete dehydration. 67 724. Glycol, HOCH 2 .CH 2 OH, heated at 400 with alumina yields chiefly acetaldehyde which condenses partially to paraldehyde. Pinacone, (CH f )iC(OH).C(OH)(CHs),, is changed at 300-20 into pinacoline as it is by the action of dilute sulphuric acid. 68 725. Glycerine in the liquid form to which are added small amounts of alumina, aluminum sulphate or potassium bisulphate, is dehydrated to acroleiine at about 110 : HOCH 2 .CH(OH) .CH 2 OH = 2H 2 + CH 2 : CH.CHO. To 100 parts of glycerine, 4 parts anhydrous aluminum sulphate, 8 parts of the hydrated, or 5 of potassium bisulphate are used. The yield is 17 to 19%, or a little smaller than when 227 parts of bisul- phate are used as in the ordinary method. 69 This process has the inconvenience that acetaldehyde and sulphur dioxide are evolved; the same is true when these catalysts are re- placed by ferric or cupric sulphates. Better results are obtained with anhydrous magnesium sulphate, with which more than 50% of the theoretical yield is obtained at 330-40, with negligible amounts of by-products, while at 360 acet- aldehyde appears. 70 726. Dehydration in the Gaseous Phase. When the vapors of glycerine are passed over alumina at about 360, complete dehydra- tion to acrole'ine takes place, but a portion of this is decomposed into ethylene and carbon monoxide while another portion is crotonized to higher aldehydes which condense along with the water and acroleine. 71 When for the alumina catalyst is substituted black uranous oxide, which dehydrates and dehydrogenates alcohols at the same time, with a predominance of the latter reaction (675), results intermediate between those with alumina and those with copper (680) are obtained. By using kaolin at 380-400 or aluminum phosphate at 450 we can transform butane-diol (1 .3) into butadiene regularly or pentane-diol- (2.f) into piperylene. The presence of a little hydrobromic add or of aniline hydrobromide increases the yield which for piperylene reaches 50%. 67 IPATIEP, Berichte, 43, 3383 (1901). J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 42, 1552 (1911). 68 IPATIEP, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 38, 92 (1906). 69 SENDERENS, Bull Soc. Chim. (4), 3, 828 (1908). Compt. rend., 151, 530 (1910). 70 WOHL and MYLO, Berichte, 45, 2046 (1912). WITZEMANN, /. Amer. Chem. Soc., 36, 1766 (1914). 71 SABATIEE and GAUDION, Compt. rend. 166, 1034 (1918). 261 DEHYDRATION 727 Pinacone is likewise dehydrated to dimethyl-butadiene when its vapors are passed over copper at 430-500 and the yield is raised to 70 % by the presence of a little hydrobromic acid. 72 727. Ring Formation by the Dehydration of Poly-alcohols. Long chain molecules containing several alcohol groups can pass into the furfurane ring by catalytic dehydration in solution. Arabinose, HOCH 2 . CH (OH) . CH (OH) . CH (OH) . CHO, when boiled with sulphuric acid diluted to one third, is converted into furfural, CH CH -CHO \0/ Mudc add or saccharic add, HOOC. (CHOH) 4 .COOH, heated to 100 with hydrochloric acid, loses two molecules of water to form dehydro-mudc or furfurane-dicarbonic add : 74 CH CH HOOC/ \)/ \COOH 72 KYRIAKIDES, /. Amer. Chem. Soc., 36, 980 (1914). 71 STONE and TOLLENS, Annalen, 249, 237 (1888). 74 YODER and TOLLENS, Berichte, 34, 3446 (1901). CHAPTER XVI DEHYDRATION (Continued) 2. ELIMINATION OF WATER BETWEEN AN ALCOHOL AND A HYDROCARBON 728. THE use of anhydrous aluminum chloride enables us to condense an aromatic alcohol with an aromatic hydrocarbon in the liquid phase. Thus benzyl alcohol, C6H 5 .CH 2 OH, and benzene give diphenyl- methane, C&Hs . CH 2 . CeH 5 , accompanied by a certain amount of ortho and para dibenzyl-benzenes and other hydrocarbons among which is found anthracene. 1 The same reaction takes place with secondary aromatic alcohols which yield tertiary hydrocarbons. With benzene we have : /R C 6 H 6 . CH(OH) . R + C 6 H 6 = H 2 O + C 6 H 5 . CH( \C 6 H 5 The yield is better when R is an aromatic residue than when it is methyl or specially ethyl. The use of an excessive quantity of alu- minum chloride, particularly if the temperature is high, may lead to the elimination of a phenyl group or of an aliphatic residue, R. 2 By adding aluminum chloride to a mixture of methyl-phenyl- carbinol, C 6 H 5 . CH (OH) . CH 3 , and benzene kept at 25-35, a 20% yield of diphenyl-ethane is obtained along with ethyl-benzene, diphenyl- methane, and anthracene, due to a further action of the chloride. By operating at 10 with 5 molecules of benzene and 0.5 of aluminum chloride a 65 % yield of diphenyl-ethane is obtained. Under the same conditions, ethyl-phenyl-carbinol forms diphenyl- propane in 40 % yield. Benzhydrol dissolved in 5 molecules of benzene to which is added 1 molecule of aluminum chloride at 35-40, gives a 40% yield of triphenyl-methane with some diphenyl-methane. By operating below 10, the yield of triphenyl-methane reaches 65 to 70 %. 8 1 HUSTON and FRIEDEMANN, J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 38, 2527 (1916). 2 HUSTON and FRIEDEMANN, J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 40, 785 (1918). 8 HUSTON and FRIEDEMANN, J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 40, 785 (1918). 262 263 DEHYDRATION 731 3. ELIMINATION OF WATER BETWEEN AN ALCOHOL AND AMMONIA OR AMINES Reactions in Liquid Systems 729. The primary aliphatic alcohols heated for several hours at 220 in an autoclave with aniline and a very small amount of iodine as a catalyst, give good yields of the corresponding alkyl-anilines. 4 Thus by heating equal molecules of aniline and methyl alcohol for 9 hours at 230 with 1 % of iodine, a yield of 73 % of methyl-aniline is obtained. By using 2 molecules of the methyl alcohol, 86 % of dimethyl- aniline is obtained in 7 hours under the same conditions. By heating 1 molecule of aniline and 4 molecules of ethyl alcohol with 0.5 g. iodine 10 hours, 95% of diethyl-aniline is obtained. Under the same conditions, benzyl alcohol and aniline give benzyl- or dibenzyl-aniline and isoamyl alcohol furnishes amyl- and diamyl-anilines. With alcohols and a little iodine, a- and fi-naphthyl-amines react similarly. 730. Aromatic Alcohols may condense with aniline or its homologs when they are heated gently with dilute hydrochloric acid. 6 Thus tet- ra-methyl-diamino-benzhydrol, (CH 3 ) 2 N . C 6 H 4 . CH (OH) . C 6 H 4 . N (CH 3 ) 2 , eliminates a molecule of water with aniline to give tetramethyl-leuc- aniline, ( (CH 3 ) 2 N . C 6 H 4 ) 2 CH . C 6 H 4 . NH 2 . Reactions in Gaseous Systems 731. We have seen above that the catalytic dehydration of alco- hols by various anhydrous metallic oxides has been explained by Sabatier and Mailhe on the assumption of the formation of a sort of unstable ester between the alcohol and the oxide acting as an acid, e.g. an alcohol thorinate (603). But according to the fundamental method of Hofmann, ammonia acts on the esters of mineral acids to form amines. Sabatier and Mailhe have imagined that the unstable esters formed with the oxides should behave in the same way. It was to be hoped that, at least for some oxides, the reaction of ammonia with the temporary ester should be more rapid than the decomposition of this ester into an ethylenic hydrocarbon. 6 4 KNOEVENAQEL, J. prakt. Chem. (2), 89, 30 (1914). 6 BADISCHE, German Patent, 27,032 (1883). ' SABATIEB and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 150, 823 (1910). 732 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 264 Experiment has fully verified this expectation. Thus with thoria and an aliphatic alcohol we have : 2C n H 2n+1 .OH + Th0 2 = H 2 + ThO(OC n H 2n+1 ) 2 thorinate Then: ThO(OC n H 2n+1 ) 2 + 2NH 3 = H 2 O + HC n H 2n+1 .NH 2 + ThO 2 amine regenerated a succession of reactions which is equivalent to the single reaction : C n H 2n+1 .OH + NH 3 = H 2 + C n H 2n+1 .NH 2 . amine 732. This reaction does not take place in the absence of a catalyst, but does go well in the presence of thoria at 300-50, the dehydration into an unsaturated hydrocarbon being only a side reaction. Thus with ethyl alcohol, which is largely broken down to ethylene by thoria at 350, the presence of ammonia almost completely prevents the evo- lution of the hydrocarbon but causes the production of ethyl-amine. The same is true with other dehydrating catalysts, alumina, blue oxide of tungsten and equally with the mixed catalysts, such as titania, chromic oxide, blue oxide of molybdenum, zirconia, etc. The formation of the amine directs the activity of the catalysts to its profit : the decomposition of alcohols into aldehydes and hydrogen as well as into water and ethylenic hydrocarbons is almost suppressed and the for- mation of the amine predominates. Furthermore the primary amine thus produced reacts in its turn on the alcohol in the presence of the catalytic oxide as does ammonia, and forms the secondary amine: C n H 2n+1 .OH + C n H 2n+1 .NH 2 = H 2 + (C n H 2n+1 ) 2 NH and there is the possibility of the formation of some tertiary amine by the action of the secondary on the alcohol. 733. The direct action of ammonia gas on alcohols is a general method for the preparation of amines. Into a tube containing several grams of thoria heated below 350 (from 250 to 350 according to cir- cumstances) are passed at the same time alcohol vapors and ammo- nia (furnished very conveniently by a cylinder of liquid ammonia). The liquid condensed at the other end of the tube is a mixture of ammoniacal water, primary and secondary amines (with traces of tertiary) and untransformed alcohol holding in solution a certain amount of the ethylenic hydrocarbon. The latter products are easily separated from the amines by fractional distillation. 7 From propyl alcohol, mono- and dipropyl-amines can be readily prepared and mono- and dwsoamyl-amines from isoamyl alcohol. 7 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 148, 898 (1909). 265 DEHYDRATION 738 734. Likewise benzyl alcohol and ammonia with thoria at 300-350 give only a small amount of the resinous hydrocarbon (C 7 H 6 ) X , but yield chiefly benzyl- and dibenzyl-amines, and a small amount of tribenzyl-amine, which solidifies in the condenser tube. By operating at 330, benzyl-amine is the main product, while at 370-380, dibenzyl- amine predominates, but there is at this temperature a notable decom- position of the alcohol to the aldehyde, which, in turn, is split into benzene and carbon monoxide. 8 735. The secondary alcohol, isopropyl, does not suffer appreciable dehydration over thoria at 250, but at that temperature ammonia is effective and gives about 20 % of isopropyl-amine accompanied by a little di-isopropyl-amine. Around 300 a considerable evolution of propylene is observed and the condensed liquid contains about one third isopropyl-amine and about the same amount of secondary, along with water and unchanged alcohol. 9 Likewise diethyl-carbinol and dipropyl-carbinol give mixtures of the corresponding primary and secondary amines. 10 736. The method is less easy to apply to benzhydrol: yet its vapors when carried by an excess of ammonia over thoria at 280 give some benzhydryl-amine, but dehydration preponderates producing tetraphenyl-ethylene. 737. The secondary cyclohexane alcohols (cyclohexanol and its homologs) are dehydrated rapidly in contact with thoria at 300-350 but in the presence of ammonia at 290-320 the reaction is, for the most part, directed toward the formation of amines, hardly more than 30 to 40% of the unsaturated hydrocarbons being simultaneously produced. In this way cyclohexyl-amine and the three methyl-cyclohexyl- amines have been prepared, some of the secondary amines being formed in all cases. 11 738. Mixed Amines. In this reaction the ammonia may be re- placed by a primary aliphatic amine which gives us a method of preparing mixed secondary amines. It is sufficient to pass a mixture of a primary amine and an aliphatic, aromatic, or cyclohexyl alcohol in equivalent amounts over thoria at about 320. Among the aliphatic alcohols, methyl gives the poorest results. Ethyl-isoamyl-amine, boil- ing at 126, propyl-isoamyl-amine, boiling at 145, and isobutyl-isoamyl- amine, boiling at 158, have been prepared in this manner. 12 8 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 153, 160 (1911). 9 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 153, 1204 (1911). 10 MAILHE, Bull. Soc. Chim. (4), 15, 327 (1914). 11 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 153, 1204 (1911). 12 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 148, 900 (1909). 739 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 266 739. By associating cyclohexyl-amine with various aliphatic alco- hols, with benzyl alcohols, and with cyclohexanol and its homologs, a large number of mixed secondary cyclohexyl-amines can be prepared. 13 Thus methyl alcohol gives methyl-cyclohexyl-amine, boiling at 145, while ethyl and other primary alcohols give the corresponding mixed amines with still better yields. Isopropyl-cyclohexyl-amine 14 and benzyl-cyclohexyl-amines have been made thus. Cyclohexanol itself gives di-cyclohexyl-amine identical with that ob- tained in the hydrogenation of aniline (466). The three methylcyclo- hexanols give the three methylcyclohexyl-cyclohexyl-amines. 15 740. At higher temperatures the aromatic amines can undergo similar reactions. By passing over alumina at 400-430 a mixture of aniline vapors and methyl alcohol in excess, the immediate formation of methyl-aniline is obtained and of dimethyl-aniline , resulting from the action of the methyl alcohol on the methyl-aniline. Likewise o.toluidine is completely transformed by methyl alcohol over thoria into methyl-o.toluidine and then into dimethyl-o.toluidine. Similar results are obtained with meta and para toluidines. A single passage over the catalyst produces about equal proportions of the mono- and di-methyl compounds, and a second passage completes the substitution. 16 By causing ammonia to act on a mixture of two alcohols, the pri- mary and secondary amines corresponding to each alcohol are obtained and some of the mixed secondary amine. This has been found true with a mixture of propyl and isoamyl alcohols at 330. 741. Alkyl-piperidines. The above method can be applied to piperidine with various alcohols over thoria at 350. The results are satisfactory with propyl alcohol which yields only a little propylene and gives N-propyl-piperidine } boiling at 149, and with isoamyl alco- hol which furnishes N-isoamyl-piperidine, boiling at 186, but are poor with cyclohexanol which gives much cyclohexene and only a little N-cyclohexyl-piperidine, boiling at 216. 17 742. Pyrrol. An analogous reaction is carried out by the aid of zinc dust with a mixture of ethyl alcohol and pyrrol which give a-ethyl- pyrrol. 1 * 13 SABATIEE and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 153, 1207 (1911). 14 MAILHE and AMOROUX, Bull Soc. Chim. (4), 15, 777 (1914). 15 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 153, 1207 (1911). 16 MAILHE and DE GODON, Compt. rend., 166, 467 and 564 (1918). 17 GAUDION, Bull Soc. Chim. (4), 9, 417 (1911). 18 DENNSTEDT, Berichte, 23, 2563 (1890). ZANETTI, Gaz. Chim. Ital, 21 (2), 167 (1891). 267 DEHYDRATION 744 4. ELIMINATION OF WATER BETWEEN AN ALCOHOL AND HYDROGEN SULPHIDE Synthesis of Mercaptans 743. If the direct action of alcohols on the dehydrating oxides, such as thoria, gives rise to the formation of a sort of unstable ester (thorinate), it can be predicted that when this is brought into contact with an acid more energetic than the hydrate of the oxide, such acid will displace the oxide at least in part to give a new ester. We will have: ThO(OC n H 2n+1 ) 2 + 2AH = 2A.C n H 2n+1 + ThO 2 + H 2 O thorinate ester and if the acid is incapable of forming a stable salt with thoria as a base, the thoria will be regenerated and will react with a new portion of alcohol to repeat the cycle. Sabatier and Mailhe believed that hydrogen sulphide, which does not react with thoria (nor with alumina), would act in this manner, since it appears to be a stronger acid than thoria. We would have in succession: ThO(OC n H 2n+1 ) 2 + 2H 2 S = 2C n H 2n+1 .SH + ThO 2 + H 2 O "" thorinate mercaptan and then, with greater difficulty, on account of the acid function still remaining in the mercaptan: ThO(OC n H 2n+1 ) 2 + 2C n H 2n+1 .SH = 2(C n H 2n+1 ) 2 S + Th0 2 + H 2 0. thorinate The thoria being regenerated can react with a fresh portion of alcohol and if the hydrogen sulphide continues to act, the thoria can function indefinitely as a catalyst to produce mercaptans and alkyl sulphides, provided that the reaction of the hydrogen sulphide on the unstable thorinate is more rapid than the decomposition of the tho- rinate into the unsaturated hydrocarbon, water and thoria. 744. Experiment has shown that this is usually the case. This is a direct method for the preparation of mercaptans from the alcohols. It is sufficient to pass a mixture of the alcohol vapors and hydrogen sulphide over a train of thoria maintained between 300 and 380. The mercaptan along with a small amount of the neutral sulphide is condensed with the water and unchanged alcohol. A portion of the alcohol is dehydrated to the unsaturated hydro- 745 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 268 carbon, but with the primary aliphatic alcohols this is not important, provided the reaction temperature is not too high, but it is consid- erable with the secondary alcohols which decompose into hydrocarbons more readily. Methyl, ethyl, propyl, isdbutyl, and isoamyl mercaptans have been thus prepared with yields above 75 %, so long as the condensation of the products is efficient. The yield is equally good for allyl mercaptan from allyl alcohol. Benzyl alcohol gives a rather large proportion of benzyl mercaptan and some sulphide. 1920 745. The yields are less satisfactory, hardly above one third, when secondary alcohols are used. The following mercaptans have been ob- tained in this way: propane-thiol(2), pentane-thiol(3), heptane-thiol(5), %.4-dimethyl-pentane-thiol(8), cyclohexyl mercaptan and the three o.m. and p.methyl-cyclohexyl mercaptans? 1 and also the mercaptan from benz- hydrol, C 6 H5.CH(SH).C 6 H5, boiling at 278 . 22 746. Various other catalytic oxides have been found to be inferior to thoria. With isoamyl alcohol and thoria maintained at 370-80, the approximate yields of mercaptans for 100 parts of alcohol de- stroyed were: Thoria 70 Zirconia 44 Uranous oxide 30 Blue oxide of tungsten 22 Chromic oxide 18 Blue oxide of molybdenum 17 Alumina 10 Alumina gives amylene chiefly. 23 19 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 150, 1217 (1910). 20 Working at 360-380 KRAMER and REID \_J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 43, 887 (1921)], obtain the following yields from the alcohols named: methyl 42 %, ethyl 35 %, propyl 45 %, n.butyl 52 %, isobutyl 36 %, isoamyl 42 %. A part, at least, of the discrepancy between these figures and those given by Sabatier and Mailhe is due to a different method of estimating the mercaptan produced. They find that the amounts of unsaturated hydrocarbons formed are surprisingly low, usually only 2 to 3 %, while considerable amounts of the aldehydes, 7 to 15 % (estimated by the hydrogen produced), are formed. E. E. R. 21 MAILHE, Bull. Soc. Chim. (4), 15, 327 (1914). 22 SABATIER and MAILHE, Butt. Soc. Chim. (4), u, 99 (1912). 23 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 150, 1569 (1914). 269 DEHYDRATION 750 5. ELIMINATION OF WATER BETWEEN ALCOHOLS AND ACIDS Esterification 747. It is known that the formation of esters by the direct action of organic acids on alcohols takes place very slowly at ordinary tem- peratures and that the transformation is never complete as it is limited by the inverse action of water on the ester. Several years of contact are required for this limit to be reached. Elevation of the tempera- ture hastens the reaction greatly but it still requires considerable time, several days at 110, several hours at 156. The production of ester is very slow in the gaseous state also, even at temperatures above 250: when a mixture of equivalent amounts of the vapors of ethyl alcohol and acetic acid is passed through a tube heated above 250, the esterification effected is entirely negligible. But either in the liquid or in the vapor condition, the presence of small amounts of catalysts accelerates the production of ester enor- mously so that the limit is soon reached. Esterification by Catalysis in the Liquid State 748. The catalysts for esterification in liquid system are chiefly the strong mineral adds, hydrochloric and sulphuric, and several salts, ammonium salts, alkaline bisulphates, zinc chloride, sodium acetate mixed with water. 749. Catalysis by Mineral Acids. When equal molecules of ethyl alcohol and acetic acid are mixed and the mixture is distilled, the amount of ester produced is less than 1 %. But a long time ago, Berthelot found that it is sufficient to add to a mixture of an organic acid and an alcohol a few per cent of hydro- chloric or sulphuric acid to cause an abundant formation of ethyl acetate, benzoate, etc. 24 He showed that traces of sulphuric acid are sufficient for the preparation of ethyl acetate. 26 750. To a mixture of equal molecules of ethyl alcohol and acetic acid (106 g.) small quantities of hydrochloric acid were added, namely : To the first 0.67 g. or 0.017 molecule second 4.77 g. or 0.125 molecule third 11.84 g. or 0.33 molecule 24 BERTHELOT, Butt. Soc. Chim. (2), 31, 342 (1879). 26 BERTHELOT and JUNGFLEISCH, Traitt de Chim. Organ., 3rd Ed. 1886, I, 208. 761 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 270 The amounts of ester formed were as follows : At ordinary temperature First Second Third Immediately after mixing 9.6 % 58.7 % 82.3 % After six hours 9.6 73.6 75.8 The limit without the mineral acid would be 66.6 % : this limit is raised by the presence of the hydrochloric acid, 26 and is practically attained in six hours with the above mixtures. In the cold, without this acid, several years would have been required. Besides, no ethyl chloride was formed. 751. Analogous results were obtained with sulphuric acid. To a mixture of 1 mol. ethyl alcohol, 1 mol. acetic acid and 0.5 mol. water was added 0.02 mol. (about 2 g.) sulphuric acid and in 24 hours in the cold, the esterification had reached 59.6 %. In 2 hours at 100, 60.6 % was reached, which is the limit for this system. 27 By boiling under reflux a mixture of 25 cc. propionic acid, 25 cc. propyl alcohol, and 50 cc. 5% sulphuric acid, the proportion of ester was : 28 After 0.5 hour 45.1 % 1 hour 51.8 2 hours 56.9 3 hours 58.3 752. The action of the sulphuric acid can be explained by the for- mation of acid ethyl sulphate, the immediate product of the action of the sulphuric acid, and the action of which on the acetic acid would pro- duce ethyl acetate and regenerate sulphuric acid, which would renew the action. In the case of hydrochloric acid, Berthelot explains the accelerating action by assuming the formation of an addition product of the hydrochloric acid and the alcohol. 29 30 Bodroux has proposed a different explanation based on the tem- porary formation of an addition compound of the mineral acid cata- 26 BERTHELOT explained the elevation of the limit by the taking part of the hydrochloric acid in the equilibrium, in which it increases the total amount of acid relative to the alcohol. 27 BERTHELOT, Bull. Soc. Chim. (2), 31, 342 (1879). 28 BODROUX, Compt. rend., 157, 939 (1913). 29 BERTHELOT, Bull Soc. Chim. (2), 31, 342 (1879). 30 It is curious how many chemists have given entirely different explanations for the action of hydrochloric and sulphuric acids. All the facts go to show that all acids act alike and that whatever explanation is given in any one case must fit all others. E. B. R. 271 DEHYDRATION 755 lyst with the organic acid considered as the anhydride of an ortho acid: M /OH AH + R.cf = R.C OH \OH \A /OH /OH then : R , Cf-OH + R'OH = AH + R . COH \A \OR' and finally by the immediate spontaneous loss of water: 31 R.C = H 2 + R.CO.OR'. \OR' 753. Many chemists still continue to think that the presence of a large amount of the mineral acid is favorable to esterification and it has become common usage to saturate the mixture of alcohol and acid with hydrogen chloride when preparing esters. Many seem to have forgotten that the same end can be attained by employing very small proportions of acids as catalysts. In 1895 Emil Fischer and Speier made exact measurements on this matter and showed that the use of small quantities of the mineral acids makes the operation more con- venient and leads to satisfactory yields. 32 754. Thus for the preparation of ethyl benzoate, the classical method was to saturate with hydrogen chloride a mixture of 1 part of benzoic acid with 4 parts ethyl alcohol, which gave only 73 % yield. Erdmann recommended heating on the water bath for 10 to 12 hours 1 part of the acid, 0.8 of alcohol and 0.4 of concentrated sulphuric acid, the yield being 75%. By dissolving 3% hydrogen chloride in a mixture of 2 parts of alcohol to 1 part of acid, Emil Fischer obtained 76% of the ester, while for 1 % hydrogen chloride, the yield was 64.5 % for the same time of heating. 755. The use of sulphuric acid is very advantageous. A mixture of 1 part of benzoic acid, 2 parts of alcohol and 0.2 part concentrated sulphuric acid as heated 3 hours under reflux and a practical yield of 90% is obtained. If account is taken of inevitable losses during the washings, the yield is practically quantitative and as the excess of alcohol can be recovered almost entirely, the operation is very advan- tageous economically. 31 BODROUX, Compt. rend., 157, 1428 (1913). 12 E. FISCHER and SPEIER, Berichte, 28, 3252 (1895). 756 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 272 756. Emil Fischer has shown that this process can be applied not only to the aliphatic acids as Berthelot had found, and to benzoic acid, but also to a large number of types of acids whether aliphatic or aromatic : Monobasic acids (naphthoic, phenyl-acetic) ; Unsaturated monobasic acids (crotonic, cinnamic) ; Saturated dibasic acids (succinic, phthalic), or unsaturated (fumaric) ; Hydroxy-acids (glycolic, phenyl-glycolic) ; Phenol-acids (salicylic) ; Ketone-acids (laevulinic) ; Polybasic hydroxy-acids (malic, tartaric, citric, mucic). The yields obtained are usually very satisfactory; we quote some of the results obtained by heating for 4 hours a mixture of 1 part of the acid with 3 to 4 parts of ethyl alcohol. % Catalyst % Ester a-Naphthoic acid 2.2 HC1 74.8 Phenyl-acetic 2.2 H 2 S0 4 87.0 Cinnamic 0.7 HC1 78.8 Cinnamic . 7.5 H 2 S0 4 89.7 Crotonic 7.5 H 2 S0 4 54.3 Phenyl-glycolic 2.2 HC1 67.5 Laevulinic 0.7 HC1 76.5 Succinic 0.8 HC1 73.9 Succinic 8.0 HaSC^ 73.9 Fumaric . 0.8 HC1 68.2 Tartaric 0.8 HC1 72.8 Malic 0.8 HC1 70.5 757. To obtain slightly soluble esters, Bodroux adds to a mixture of an organic acid and alcohol its weight of pure commercial hydro- chloric acid diluted with its own volume of water: in the cold the mixture becomes turbid in a few hours and finally gives 60 to 90 % of ester. This process works well for phenyl-acetic acid with various saturated alcohols but not so well for benzoic, salicylic and cinnamic acids. The yields are less satisfactory, hardly more than 50 %, with allyl alcohol or with the secondary alcohols, isopropyl and cyclohexyl. They are worse still with dimethyl-ethyl-carbinol as well as with glycerine and mannite?* 88 BODROUX, Ccmpt. rend., 157, 939 (1913). 34 BODROUX, Compt. rend., 157, 1428 (1913). 273 DEHYDRATION 759 758. Senderens and Aboulenc, who do not seem to have known of the work of Berthelot and of Emil Fischer, have described as new the method of direct esterification of alcohols in presence of small amounts of sulphuric acid. The results which they give are a verification and extension to other alcohols of a part of the results of Emil Fischer. But they have thought that they were able to make an essential dis- tinction in the mechanism of the reaction between the aromatic acids that can be regarded as substitution products of acetic acid, e.g. phenyl-acetic, on the one side and straight aromatic acids in which the carboxyl is attached to the nucleus, e.g. benzoic and toluic, on the other. For the first class, they consider the speed of the esterification and the amount of ester formed as independent of the amount of the sul- phuric acid, while for benzoic acid, for example, these increase with the amount of the acid, "which consequently does not act simply as a catalyst." This distinction can not be admitted. A solid catalyst, up to a certain limit, acts in proportion to its active surface. Soluble cata- lysts, such as diastases or acids in hydration reactions, or sulphuric acid in this case, act proportionally to their mass, at least if this is not too large for the total volume of liquid, and this is as true for acetic as for benzoic. The results quoted above from Berthelot for the for- mation of ethyl acetate in the presence of hydrochloric acid, show that, in the cold, the rapidity of the esterification is approximately proportional to the amount of the catalyst. The difference between the aliphatic acids and their analogs and benzoic acid is that the velocity of the esterification of the former by the catalytic acid is much greater than for benzoic. 36 To obtain the same yield of ester from benzoic a larger amount of the catalyst would have been required. Oxalic acid is esterified regularly like succinic. Furthermore the practical yields are much better with the higher alcohols since with the less soluble esters the losses in the necessary washings with water and alkaline carbonate solutions are less serious. 759. According to the same authors the sulphuric acid can be re- placed by double its weight of anhydrous aluminum sulphate or potas- sium bisulphate. 86 The slowness of esterification of benzoic acid as compared with acetic acid is shown by the work of FREAS and REID, [(J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 40, 569 (1918)], who found it necessary to heat benzoic acid with methyl and ethyl alcohols to 200 for 96 hours to insure reaching the limit of esterification while BERTHELOT and ST. GILLES found 24 hours sufficient even at 170. E. E. R. 86 SENDERENS and ABOULENC, Compt. rend., 152, 1671 and 1855 (1911) and 153, 881 (1911). 760 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 274 760. Glycerine mixed with acetic acid (1 molecule of glycerine to 3 of the acid) gives on boiling under reflux for 1 hour, esterification amounting to 0.4 molecule of acid: by the addition of 5% potassium bisulphate, the amount esterified reaches 1.2 molecules. With 2% anhydrous aluminum sulphate ...... 1.5 mol. 1 % sulphuric acid ............. 1.5 mol. By starting with 1 molecule of glycerine and 12 acetic acid, the amount esterified by boiling 1 hour is : With the aluminum sulphate ......... 2 mol. acid sulphuric acid ............. 3 mol. acid Triacetine is thus reached and there would be no advantage in increasing the amount of the catalyst. 37 761. Esterification by Acetanhydride. A common method of pre- paring the acetates of alcohols or of poly-alcohols is to heat them with acetanhydride. R.OH + (CH 3 .CO) 2 = 2CH 3 .C0 2 R + H 2 O. 38 By this means all the hydroxyl groups of a complex molecule are esterified. The presence of a certain amount of sodium acetate favors the action of the anhydride. Still better results are obtained by adding to an alcohol four times its weight of acetanhydride and a small fragment of fused zinc chloride. The reaction becomes very rapid immediately. In the case of glyc- erine a veritable explosion is caused. With mannite, however, it is regular and yields in a few minutes mannite hexa-acetate, melting at Catalytic Esterification in Gaseous System 762. The assumption of an unstable combination between the dehydrating oxides and the alcohols has been a basis for the prediction of various reactions which have been realized by experiment, such as the formation of mercaptans and aliphatic amines. Sabatier and Mailhe thought that it might be expected that these combinations 37 SENDERENS and ABOULENC, Compt. rend,, 158, 581 (1914). 88 I think it better to write the reaction thus: R. OH + (CH,. CO) 8 O - CHjCOjR + CH 8 COjH. An excess of the anhydride is always used and the reaction goes to completion since no water is formed to reverse it. E. E. R. 89 FRANCHIMONT, Berichte, 12, 2059 (1879). 275 DEHYDRATION 764 would play a part analogous to that of the acid sulphuric esters, that is, that the dehydrating oxides would act as esterification catalysts. 40 763. As has already been indicated, if a mixture of the vapors of an alcohol and an organic acid be passed through a 60 cm. tube heated between 300 and 360, the proportion of ester formed during the pas- sage is absolutely negligible, but the presence of a catalytic oxide changes the case entirely. Let us suppose that the tube contains a catalytic oxide, MO, derived from the metallic hydroxide, M (OH)2, an amphoteric hydroxide. The reaction can take three different courses: 1st. The acid may combine to form a salt, unstable for those oxides which catalyze acids, and breaking down to regenerate the oxide and forming a symmetrical ketone (837): (1) MO + 2R.COOH = H 2 + (R.COO) 2 M = H 2 + MO + C0 2 + R.CO.R. ketone 2nd. The oxide may combine with the alcohol to form an unstable salt: MO + 2C n H 2n+1 .OH = H 2 + M(OC n H 2n+1 ) 2 . This unstable complex can decompose in two ways, either by itself to give the unsaturated hydrocarbon: 41 (2) M(OC n H 2n+1 ) 2 = MO + H 2 + 2C n H 2n or with the aid of the acid to form an ester: (3) M(OC n H 2n+1 ) 2 +2R.CO.OH=MO+H 2 0+2R.CO.OC n H 2n+1 . In any case the catalytic oxide is regenerated and can continue the same effects. Furthermore in reaction (3), the water produced tends to destroy the combination, M (OC n H 2n+ i) 2 , and consequently limits the for- mation of the ester which results from it. Since these reactions are very rapid, the esterification limit will be reached quickly, the cata- lytic oxide acting like the platinum sponge in the combination of iodine and hydrogen (19). 764. We may have simultaneously formation of a ketone, produc- tion of unsaturated hydrocarbon (or ether), and the rapid reversible formation of the ester; this is what is observed when a mixture of the vapors of ethyl alcohol and acetic acid is passed over thoria or alumina heated to about 400. If the conditions are such that reactions (1) and (2) do not take place, (3) will be the only one and we will have an advantageous catalytic formation of ester. 40 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 150, 823 (1910). 41 In the case of methyl alcohol, this decomposition gives methyl ether. 766 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 276 To obtain this result it is necessary to operate at such low temper- atures that the acids are not decomposed and that the decomposition into unsaturated hydrocarbon is not too rapid. 765. Thoria, which is the most active catalyst for the destruction of adds and which, likewise, has a powerful dehydrating effect on alcohols, would doubtless be less advantageous than titania, which pro- duces these effects less vigorously. 766. With aromatic acids, such as benzoic and its homologs which have the carboxyl attached to the nucleus, thoria does not produce any appreciable decomposition even up to 450 : it can be predicted that reaction (1) will not take place. Experiment has shown that this is the case and that at 350 reaction (2) is negligible as compared with reaction (3), which goes very rapidly. By vaporizing a saturated solution of benzoic acid in an alcohol (there are at least 12 molecules of the alcohol to 1 of the acid) and passing the vapors over a train of thoria at 350, there is no appreciable formation of the unsaturated hydrocarbon, but the benzoic acid is almost totally esterified. Methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, isobutyl, isoamyl and allyl benzoates have been obtained advantageously in this way. In spite of their greater tendency to form unsaturated hydro- carbons, the secondary alcohols can form benzoic esters with fairly good yields : this is the case with isopropyl alcohol with which the formation of propylene is of minor importance. Cyclohexyl alcohol is more delicate, but nevertheless gives a fairly good yield of the benzoate. Analogous results are obtained with the three toluic acids which are readily esterified by thoria at 350-380, but the practical prepara- tion of these esters is less advantageous on account of the smaller solubility of these acids, particularly the para, in the alcohols: the meta is the most soluble. 42 767. Titania enables us to esterify various acids in the same man- ner. If a mixture of equivalent amounts of the vapors of a primary alcohol and an aliphatic acid, other than formic, is passed over a train of this oxide maintained at 280-300, rapid esterification takes place, reaching a limit slightly above that observed by Berthelot and Men- schutkm in their experiments on direct esterification. The production of gas on account of the destruction of the acid or the alcohol is abso- lutely negligible. 768. It is known that the presence of a catalyst does not change the location of the limit in reversible reactions, but diminishes greatly the time required to reach that limit. In this particular case, Berthe- 42 SABATIEB and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 152, 358 (1911). 277 DEHYDRATION 770 lot found that the limit is moved somewhat by elevation of the tem- perature. For equivalent amounts of ethyl alcohol and acetic acid, he found the following values of the limit: In the cold (10 years) 65.2 % At 100 (200 hours) 65.6 170 (42 hours) 66.5 200 (24 hours) 67.3 The figures show that the limit is not fixed but progresses slowly with the temperature and suggest a still higher value for the limit at 280-300. 769. At 155, Menschutkin found for various alcohols mixed with equivalent amounts of different acids, the following limits : 4S Acetic acid + methyl alcohol 69.6 % Acetic acid + ethyl alcohol 66.6 Acetic acid + propyl alcohol 66.9 Acetic acid -f butyl alcohol 67.3 Acetic acid + isobutyl alcohol 67.4 Propionic acid + isobutyl alcohol .... 68.7 Butyric acid -f isobutyl alcohol .... 69.5 Isobutyric acid + isobutyl alcohol .... 69.5 Sabatier and Mailhe obtained the following limits with titania at 280-300: Acetic acid + isobutyl alcohol .... 69.5 % Propionic acid + methyl alcohol 72.9 Propionic acid + isoamyl alcohol 72 Butyric acid + ethyl alcohol 71 Butyric acid + isoamyl alcohol 72.7 Isobutyric acid + ethyl alcohol 71 These values are slightly higher than the corresponding figures obtained at lower temperatures. 770. Furthermore, in this rapid catalytic esterification, the same laws are found to hold as Berthelot formulated for direct esterification. An excess of one constituent increases the amount of the other com- bined. Thus for 1 molecule of isobutyric acid with 1, 2, and 4 mole- cules of ethyl alcohol, the following percentages of the acid were esterified: With 1 molecule . 71.0% 2 molecules 83.5 4 molecules . . , .......... 91.0 48 MENSCHUTKIN, Ann. Chim. Phys. (5), 20, 289, and 23, 64 (1880). 771 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 278 In the presence of more than 10 molecules of alcohol the esteri- fication of the acid is nearly complete and, conversely, almost all of the alcohol is esterified by a large excess of the acid. The relative cost of the alcohol and acid in such cases decides which conditions are most economical. 771. Sabatier and Mailhe have prepared easily the methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, isobutyl and isoamyl esters of acetic, propionic, butyric, isobutyric, isovaleric, caproic, pelargonic and crotonic, etc., acids. Benzyl alcohol gives equally good results with various acids. The dehydration to the resinous hydrocarbon, (C7H 6 ) X , which is effected so rapidly by catalytic oxides, hardly takes place at all in the presence of acid vapors. 44 772. Sabatier and Mailhe have found further that it is not indis- pensable to use as high a temperature as 280, which is usually the most advantageous. The catalytic activity continues, though it falls off gradually, to temperatures much lower where the acids and alcohols are stable. In this titania is superior to thoria. 45 By operating with equal molecules of ethyl alcohol and acetic acid and passing the vapors over a 50 cm. train of the oxide at the rate of 0.2 molecule, or 21 g., per hour, Sa- batier and Mailhe obtained the following percentages of esterification : With thoria With titania At 150 11% ... 20% 170 26 . . . 230 45 ... 60 Besides, the catalytic power of titania persists almost indefinitely; it was not diminished by experiments on varied mixtures of alcohols and acids extending over 20 days. 773. Formic acid can be esterified at these temperatures at which it is fairly stable. By operating with equal molecules of formic acid and ethyl alcohol, distributed by the same capillary tube through which the molecular volume passed very rapidly, in spite of this unfavorable circumstance, the following amounts were esterified over titania: At 120 47 % 150 65% The esterification limit is nearly reached even at 150 at which the decomposition of formic acid into gaseous products is still incon- siderable. 44 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 152, 494 (1911). 45 MAILHE and DE GODON [(Bull. Soc. Chim., 29, 101 (1921)] conclude that ZrO 2 is as good as or better than TiOj. MILLIGAN and REID (unpublished work) find silica gel to be a better esterification catalyst than either. E. E. R. 279 DEHYDRATION 778 In practice formic acid, mixed with an excess of the desired alcohol, is passed over thoria at 150. Methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, isoamyl and benzyl for mates have been readily prepared in this way. 774. The comparison of these results has led Sabatier and Mailhe to conclude that the rapidity of the esterification of the primary alco- hols by the aliphatic acids, in presence of catalysts, is directly propor- tional to the kinetic velocities of the reacting molecules; it is as much greater as the molecules are lighter and it can be inferred that the reason is to be found in the greater rapidity of gaseous interchanges on the catalyst. 775. The secondary alcohol, isopropyl, mixed with isobutyric acid does not give any evolution of propylene with titania below 300. The proportion esterified was: At 235 16.5% 256 21 292 37 For primary propyl alcohol, the amount is 50% at 235 and 72% at 292. 776. Trimethyl-carbinol (tertiary butyl alcohol) likewise mixed with isobutyric acid, gives 6 % ester at 235 with no formation of the hydrocarbon. With the isomeric primary alcohol, isobutyl, it is 22 %. It is only at 255 that the decomposition into butylene begins to manifest itself. At 265 it is quite rapid and the acidity of the mix- ture increases on account of the destruction of the alcohol in place of diminishing by esterification. 777. These results agree well with the weakening of the alcoholic function in secondary and particularly in tertiary alcohols. The ve- locity of the catalytic esterification should be at the same time a function of the speed of the gaseous interchanges, in consequence of the smallness of the molecules and also of the facility with which the alcohol forms the temporary unstable complexes with the catalytic oxide. 46 778. Beryllium oxide also can be employed as an esterification catalyst. With this oxide heated to 310, yields of above 70 % of ester can be obtained. The catalyst can be regenerated by calcining at a red heat. With this catalyst esters of tertiary alcohols and of high molecular weight acids can be prepared. 47 48 48 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 152, 1044 (1911). 47 HAUSER and KLOTZ, Chem. Zeit., 37, 146 (1913). 48 I have tried to prepare esters by the use of beryllia and so has Dr. MILLIQAN but neither of us has been able to verify the statements of HAUSER and KLOTZ. E. E. R. 779 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 280 6. ELIMINATION OF WATER BETWEEN ALCOHOLS AND ALDEHYDES OR KETONES 779. The elimination of water between alcohols and aldehydes or ketones can take place in several ways. The one way is to a certain extent comparable to esterification and leads to acetals; it can hardly be realized except in liquid systems. The other, more exceptional, gives rise to hydrocarbons and is effected in gaseous systems. I. Formation of Acetals 780. Aldehydes can combine directly with alcohols to give acetals : R.CHO + 2R'OH = H 2 + R.CH(OR / ) 2 . aldehyde alcohol acetal But the direct formation is very imperfect, unless suitable catalysts are used. Good yields are obtained by passing for a long time a current of pure phosphine through a well cooled mixture of the aldehyde and alcohol: by this means acetaldehyde has been made to combine with ethyl, propyl and isobutyl alcohols. 49 The combination of alcohols and aldehydes is greatly aided by the presence of a certain amount of glacial acetic add. 60 781. Trioxymethylene, the condensation product of formaldehyde, readily forms methylal, HCH(OCH 3 ) 2 , when it is mixed with methyl alcohol and heated on the water bath for 10 hours with 3 % of ferric chloride. 782. A good method for preparing acetals is to mix the aldehyde with the proper amount of alcohol containing 1 % of hydrogen chloride (the gas dissolved) and digest the mixture for 18 to 20 hours : the yields are usually satisfactory. 51 To obtain acetals from acetaldehyde with various aliphatic alco- hols, 40 g. of acetaldehyde is mixed with 60 g. of the alcohol and 1 cc. concentrated hydrochloric add is added and this mixture digested 24 hours with a saturated solution of sodium chloride and 10 g. of the solid salt. 52 783. The action of ethyl ortho-formate on aldehydes or ketones readily produces their combinations with ethyl alcohol; but this re- 49 ENGEL and GIRARD, Jahresb., 1880, 694. 60 GBUTHER, Annalen, 126, 62 (1863). 61 E. FISCHER and GIEBE, Berichte, 30, 3053 (1897). 82 KING and MASON, English patent, 101,428 of 1916, J. Soc. Chem. Ind., 35, 1131 (1916). 281 DEHYDRATION 784 action does not take place without the aid of suitable catalysts. These may be quite varied, e.g. strong mineral acids, ferric chloride, ammo- nium chloride, ethyl-, diethyl-, or triethyl-amine hydrochlorides, potassium bisulphate, ammonium sulphate or nitrate. Boiling for a few minutes is sufficient to assure the formation. Thus to prepare the acetal from ethyl alcohol and benzaldehyde, 1 molecule of the aldehyde is mixed with 0.1 molecule ethyl ortho-form- ate and poured into 3 molecules of the alcohol and a little dry hy- drogen chloride is passed in. After ten minutes boiling, the acetal, C 6 H5.CH(OC 2 H5)2 is obtained in 99% yield. By using 2 g. ammo- nium chloride, the yield is 97 %. The diethyl acetal of acetone is obtained thus with 66% yield. If the boiling is prolonged too greatly, the yield is more and more diminished, which shows that the catalyst tends to destroy by hydrol- ysis the acetal which it has formed. 63 n. Formation of Hydrocarbons in Gaseous System 784. The dehydrating action of oxides such as alumina on a mix- ture of an alcohol and an aldehyde can eliminate all of the oxygen as water producing a doubly unsaturated hydrocarbon. This takes place when a mixture of ethyl alcohol and acetaldehyde is passed over the impure alumina formed by calcining ammonium alum. Butadiene, boiling at 2, is obtained: CH 2 OH.CH 3 + OCH.CH 3 = 2H 2 + CH 2 : CH.CH : CH 2 . With pure alumina, methyl-allene, CH 3 . CH : C : CH 2 , is also formed. This reaction can be applied to the synthesis of rubber by the polymerization of the hydrocarbon obtained (213). From 100 g. of the mixture of aldehyde and alcohol, 25 g. of the crude hydrocarbon may be obtained or 16 to 18 g. of pure butadiene which may be totally transformed into rubber. 54 Similarly acetaldehyde, with isopropyl or propyl alcohols, leads to piperylene, CH 3 . CH : CH . CH : CH 2 , boiling at 42. 64 CLAISEN, Berichte, 40, 3903 (1907). 64 OSTROMUISSLENSKII and KELBASINSKI, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 47, 1509 (1915); C. A., 10, 3179 (1916). CHAPTER XVII DEHYDRATION (Continued) 7. DEHYDRATION OF PHENOLS ALONE 785. One method of preparing ethers from phenols is to distil dry aluminum phenylates: this works well for phenyl ether and for the ethers of ortho and para cresols. 1 This method of preparation leads us to foresee that phenyl ethers can be prepared catalytically by the action of a catalytic oxide such as thoria on the vapors of the phenol at a suitable temperature, the mechanism of dehydration depending, as with the alcohols, on the formation of an unstable thorinate which decomposes regenerating thoria. We have : 20^ . OH + Th0 2 = H 2 O + Th(OC 6 H 5 )2 thorinate and then: Th(OC 6 H 5 )2 = ThO 2 + (CeH^O. ether This prediction having been verified, Sabatier and Mailhe have based on it an advantageous method for the preparation of phenol ethers by the use of thoria. 2 786. Simple Phenol Ethers. The vapors of the phenol are passed over a train of thoria kept at 400-500. If the phenol is a liquid, it is introduced directly by means of the capillary tube (181) ; if it is a solid, its benzene solution is used. The reaction products are shaken with caustic soda, which extracts the unchanged phenol leaving the ether which is obtained entirely pure by one distillation. Phenyl ether can be prepared in this way very economically and in great purity with a yield of 50% or better; meta and para cresyl ethers can be readily obtained, while ethers are more difficult to obtain from ortho cresol and from xylenol(l,34}? and poor results are gotten with carvacrol. 4 787. Diphenylene Oxides. This method leads to the simultaneous formation of diphenylene oxides, fluorescent compounds, less volatile than the ethers, and formed by the loss of H 2 . With ordinary phenol at 475, there is formed along with phenyl 1 GLADSTONE and TRIBE, J. Chem. Soc., 41, 9 (1882), and 49, 25 (1886). 2 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 151, 492 (1910). s SABATIER and MAILHE, Bull Soc. Chim. (4), n, 843 (1912). * SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 158, 608 (1914). 282 283 DEHYDRATION 789 ether, boiling at 253 and melting at 28, a considerable amount of C 6 H 4 \ diphenylene oxide, | 0, boiling at 287 and melting at 85, which C 6 H 4 / had previously been obtained by distilling calcium phenylate. 5 The cresols, xylenols, and naphthols give rise to the formation of similar products. 6 788. Mixed Phenol Ethers. By dehydrating over thoria, not a single phenol, but a mixture of two phenols, the product contains along with the simple ethers of the two phenols and the diphenylene oxides, an amount, usually* considerable, of the mixed ether derived from the two phenols which can be separated by careful fractionation. Sabatier and Mailhe have prepared the following mixed ethers, phenyl- o.cresyl, phenyl-m.cresyl, phenyl-p.cresyl, phenyl-a-naphthyl, phenyl-ft- naphthyl, phenyl-carvacryl, p.cresyl-carvacryl, as well as the phenylene- naphthylene oxides. 7 8. ELIMINATION OF WATER BETWEEN PHENOLS AND ALCOHOLS Synthesis of Alkyl Phenol Ethers 789. Sabatier and Mailhe have shown that catalytic oxides such as thoria readily eliminate water from a phenol and an alcohol with the formation of a mixed ether. 8 This is a very advantageous method of preparing mixed ethers. All that is necessary is to pass a mixture of the phenol with an excess of the alcohol over thoria at 390-420. With methyl alcohol, which is dehydrated by thoria very slowly, the results are particularly good. The excess of the alcohol and most of the unchanged phenol are separated from the ether by fractionation. The remainder of the phenol is extracted by caustic soda from the mixed ether, which is purified by a single distillation. In this way, Sabatier and Mailhe have prepared the methyl ethers of phenol, the three cresols, xylenol(l,3,4), thymol, carvacrol, and a- and ft-naphthols. At the same time small quantities, more or less important accord- ing to the phenol, of the phenol ether and diphenylene oxide are ob- tained. A mixture of methyl alcohol and carvacrol gives methyl- carvacryl ether, along with di-carvacryl ether and carvacrylene. 9 5 NiEDERHXusERN, Berichte, 15, 1120 (1882). 6 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 151, 494 (1910). 7 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 155, 260 (1912), and 158, 608 (1914). 8 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 151, 359 (1910). 9 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 158, 608 (1914). 790 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 284 The other alcohols, in spite of their own rapid decomposition by thoria, can readily give the mixed ethers : one operates around 420 on phenol dissolved in excess of the alcohol, a part of which is decom- posed forming the unsaturated hydrocarbon. Ethyl-, propyl-, and isoamyl-phenyl ethers have been prepared in this way. 9. ELIMINATION OF WATER BETWEEN A PHENOL AND AN AMINE 790. Nothing worth while is accomplished by passing a phenol and ammonia over a catalytic oxide at 400. The production of amines is quite negligible. We may mention as a catalytic reaction of this sort, the action of a- and (3-naphthols, on aniline, the toluidines and other aromatic amines, when they are heated 7 hours to about 200 in the presence of 1 % of iodine. The corresponding secondary amines are obtained with satisfactory yields. 10 io. ELIMINATION OF WATER BETWEEN PHENOLS AND HYDROGEN SULPHIDE 791. Sabatier and Mailhe have found that by passing the vapors of a phenol and hydrogen sulphide over thoria between 430 and 480, the corresponding thiophenol is obtained. C 6 R 5 .OH + H 2 S = H 2 + C 6 R 5 .SH. But the yield is not so good as with alcohols (744), and is not above 10% in the most favorable case. A temperature of 500 de- creases the yield on account of the serious decomposition of the hy- drogen sulphide. Hence the reaction is of no practical use but is of only scientific interest. 11 The yields are still less when other oxides are used. With phenol, the following yields were obtained at 450 : 12 Alumina 0.4% Zirconia 1.5 Blue oxide of molybdenum 1.8 Blue oxide of tungsten 1.5 Chromic oxide 2.5 Uranous oxide 3.8 Thoria . , ,,. ...,!;;... ... ... . 8.0 10 KNOEVENAGEL, J. prakt. Chem. (2), 89, 16 (1914). 11 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 150, 1220 (1910). 12 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 150, 1570 (1910). 285 DEHYDRATION 794 ii. ELIMINATION OF WATER BETWEEN PHENOLS AND ALDEHYDES 792. For some years there has been prepared under the name of bakelite, a resinous material very resistant to shock and to pressure and endowed with insulating properties of the first order. It results from the condensation of phenol or cresols with formaldehyde in the presence of various catalysts, chiefly substances with alkaline re- action. 13 According to Baekeland, 14 who has given his name to the product, one of the materials, called bakelite C, results from the re- action of 7 molecules of formaldehyde with 6 of phenol: 6C 6 H 5 OH + 7CH 2 = C43H 38 07 + 6H 2 O. The formaldehyde can be replaced by methylal, trioxymethylene, or hexamethylene-tetramine. The products obtained are very variable according to the operating conditions and either liquid intermediate substances or solids corre- sponding to an advanced stage of molecular condensation may be ob- tained. The condensation to the solid products can be effected by acid catalysts such as hydrochloric acid. 12. FORMATION OF PHENOLIC GLUCOSIDES 793. Quinoline employed in small proportion causes phenols to react with acetyl-brom-glucose forming the acetylate of the corre- sponding phenyl-glucoside. By warming for 1 hour 50 g. acetyl-brom- glucose with 160 g. phenol in the presence of 19 g. quinoline, the tetra-acetyl-phenyl-glucoside is obtained, the hydrolysis of which by baryta water separates the phenyl-glucoside. 15 13. DEHYDRATION OF ALDEHYDES OR OF KETONES 794. Frequently the presence of certain substances causes the condensation of two or more molecules of aldehydes or of ketones with the elimination of water and the formation of a single molecule retaining only one aldehyde or ketone group and containing double bonds. 16 13 LEBACH, J. Soc. Chem. Ind., 32, 559 (1913). Caoutchouc and Gutta-percha, 14, 9339 (1917). HUTIN, Ibid., 16, 9987 (1919). 14 BAEKELAND, J. Ind. Eng. Chem., i, 149 (1909). 16 E. FISCHER and VON MECHEL, Berichte, 49, 2813 (1916). 11 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 150, 1220 (1910). 795 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 286 This process is called crotonization from croton aldehyde which is formed from acetaldehyde: 17 CH 3 . CHO + CH 3 . CHO = H 2 O + CH 3 . CH : CH . CHO. Reactions of this kind can take place between molecules of dif- ferent aldehydes or ketones. Crotonization in Liquid Medium 795. The catalysts that are able to cause the crotonization of al- dehydes and ketones in liquid medium are quite varied and their action is generally quite slow : soda, potash, hydrochloric acid, zinc chloride, lime, aluminum chloride and sodium acetate may be mentioned. In order to transform acetaldehyde into croton aldehyde, it is heated to 97 for 36 hours with 20 % of its weight of a water solution of sodium acetate, 1 * or better to 100 for 48 hours with a solution of zinc chloride. 19 Paraldehyde in contact with sulphuric acid also gives croton al- dehyde. 20 The same process applies to the crotonization of propionic aldehyde which can be crotonized by heating with a solution of caustic soda. 21 The same agent is employed for butyric aldehyde. 22 Dry hydrogen chloride 23 or a solution of sodium acetate may be used to crotonize isobutyric aldehyde?* Zinc chloride, or alcoholic potash, causes two or four molecules of heptaldehyde to condense. 25 Contact with zinc turnings is sufficient to crotonize isovaleric aldehyde: sodium, caustic potash and hydro- chloric acid produce the same effect. 26 796. Croton aldehyde itself mixed with acetaldehyde and zinc chlo- ride at 100, undergoes a second like reaction and forms hexadienal (boiling at about 172) , 27 CH 3 .CH : CH.CHO + CH 3 .CHO = H 2 + CH 3 .CH : CH.CH : CH.CHO. 17 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 150, 1570 (1910). 18 LIEBEN, Monatsh., 13, 519 (1892). 19 MULLER, Bull. Soc. Chim. (3), 6, 796 (1891). 20 DELEPINE, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 16, 136 (1909), and 20, 389 (1910). 21 HOPPE, Monatsh., 9, 637 (1888). 22 RAUPENSTRAUCH, Monatsh., 8, 112 (1887). 21 (EcoNOMiDES, Bull. Soc. Chim. (2), 36, 209 (1881). 24 FOSSEK, Monatsh., 2, 616 (1881). 26 PERKIN, Berichte, 15, 2804 (1882). 26 RIBAN, Bull. Soc. Chim. (2), 18, 64 (1872). KEKULE, Berichte, 3, 135 (1870). BORODIN, Berichte, 6, 983 (1873). 27 KEKULE, Annalen, 162, 105 (1872). 287 DEHYDRATION 799 797. Ordinary acetone kept for a long time in contact with lime, 29 or aluminum chloride 30 is transformed into mesityl oxide: (CH 3 ) 2 :CH.CO.CH 3 and then into phorone: (CH 3 ) 2 C : CH . CO . CH : C (CH 3 ) 2 . Cyclohexanone, in contact with sodium ethylate or hydrochloric acid, condenses to an oily compound similar to mesityl oxide, 31 CH /CH 2 .CO\ /CH 2 .CH 2 v C : C CH 2 . 798. Crotonization can take place in a similar manner between different molecules, principally between a molecule of acetone and one or two molecules of aldehyde. The presence of aqueous or alcoholic soda is most frequently efficient in causing these condensations with the elimination of one or two molecules of water giving compounds containing a ketone group and one or two double bonds. Benzaldehyde gives such products readily. Thus with acetone in prolonged contact with aqueous soda, it forms successively benzal- acetone and dibenzal-acetone : M C 6 H 5 .CHO + H 2 CH.CO.CH 3 = H 2 O + C 6 H 5 .CH : CH.CO.CH, and 2C 6 H B .CHO + CH 3 .CO.CH 3 = 2H 2 O + (C 6 H 5 .CH : CH) 2 CO. In the presence of a little soda solution, o.nitrobenzaldehyde con- denses with acetone to give o.nitrobenzal-acetone: 2 N.C 6 H 4 .CHO + CH 3 .CO.CH 3 = H 2 O + 2 N . C 6 H 4 . CH : CH . CO . CH 3 . 799. Benzaldehyde condenses with acetophenone in the presence of hydrogen chloride, 34 or of a few cubic centimeters of soch'um meth- ylate, 35 to give diphenyl-propenone, C 6 H 5 . CH : CH . CO . C 6 H 5 . 28 Pure acetone passed over heated freshly prepared alumina forms condensa- tion products, only about 60% of the acetone passing through unchanged. No gaseous products are formed. HOMER ADKINS. 29 F ITTIG) Annaltn, no, 32 (1859). 80 LOUISE, Compt. rend., 95, 602 (1882). 31 WALLACE, Berichte, 29, 2955 (1896), C., 1897 (1), 322. 82 CLAISEN and PONDER, Annalen, 223, 139 (1884). 33 BAEYER and DREWSEN, Berichte, 15, 2856 (1882). 34 CLAISEN and CLAPAREDE, Berichte, 14, 2463 (1881). 36 CLAISEN, Berichte, 20, 657 (1887). 800 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 288 The same aldehyde gives benzylidene-hydrindone with hydrindone and a little alcoholic potash: 2 y C 6 H )CH 2 + OCH . C 6 H 6 - C 6 H )C : CH . C 6 H 5 . 36 \CO / \CO / Cinnamic aldehyde, digested several hours with acetophenone in contact with soda, passes into diphenyl-pentadieneone: C 6 H 6 . CH : CH . CH : CH . CO . C 6 H 5 . Cyclopentanone condenses with two molecules of benzaldehyde in contact with soda. 38 800. Citral (50 cc.) and acetone (65 cc.) shaken several hours with 1 1. of 4% baryta water condense to pseudo-ionone Condensations in Gaseous Phase 801. Catalytic dehydrating oxides can cause regular condensations of aldehydes or ketones in vapor phase. The vapors of acetaldehyde, or of paraldehyde, passed over thoria at about 260 yield, along with a mixture of methane and carbon mon- oxide resulting from the decomposition of the aldehyde, a liquid con- taining water, crotonic aldehyde, hexadienal, without doubt associated with a certain amount of octatrieneal. Careful hydrogenation of the liquid over nickel at 180, gives essentially a mixture of normal butyl and hexyl alcohols. 40 The vapors of acetone passed over thoria at 410-20 give consid- erable mesityl oxide.* 1 Elimination of Water from a Single Molecule 802. We have seen (308 and 310) that the presence of certain catalysts permits the addition of a molecule of water to certain doubly unsaturated hydrocarbons, the products usually being aliphatic ke- tones. The inverse reaction, the formation of a doubly unsaturated hydrocarbon by the abstraction of a molecule of water from a ketone, can be realized also. It has been found that the vapor of methyl- isopropyl-ketone, passed, under reduced pressure, over kaolin between " KIPPING, J. Chem. Soc., 65, 498 (1894). 87 SCHOLTZ, Berichte, 28, 1726 (1895). " VORLANDER and HOBOHM, Berichte, 29, 1840 (1896). 89 TIEMANN and KROGER, Berichte, 26, 2691 (1893). Bull Soc. Chim. (3), 9, 798 (1893). 40 SABATIER and GAUDION, Compt. rend., 166, 632 (1918). 41 MAILHE and DE GODON, Bull. Soc. Chim. (4), 21, 63 (1917). 289 DEHYDRATION 806 400 and 600, gives isoprene (which doubtless results from the is- omerization of 3-methyl-butadiene(l,2)). 42 We would have: /CH 3 /CH 3 CH 3 .CO .CH( - H 2 O + CH 2 : C : C( -+ CH 2 : CH . \CH 3 \CH 3 \CH 3 Condensations of Aldehydes or Ketones with Various Organic Molecules 803. Condensations with elimination of water comparable to cro- tonizations can frequently take place between aldehydes or ketones and molecules of various kinds, nitro compounds, phenols, esters, indols, pyrrols, etc. These reactions are most frequently brought about by the usual condensing agents, sulphuric or hydrochloric acids, zinc chlo- ride, etc., or ammonia and amines, or anhydrous aluminum chloride. The products are generally unsaturated at the point where the aldehyde or ketone groups have disappeared. Thus benzaldehyde condenses with nitromethane in the presence of zinc chloride to give a nitro derivative of phenyl-ethylene : ** C 6 H 6 .CHO + CH 3 N0 2 = H 2 O + C 6 H 6 .CH : CH.N0 2 . 804. The same aldehyde condenses with malonic acid or its esters to form benzylidene-malonic acid when heated in presence of alcoholic ammonia or of hydrochloric acid : 44 C 6 H 5 .CHO + H 2 C(C0 2 R) 2 = H 2 + C 6 H 6 .CH : C(C0 2 R) 2 From equal molecules of benzaldehyde and malonic acid warmed 1.5 hours to 55 with an 8% alcoholic ammonia solution, a 60% yield of the condensed acid is obtained. The ammonia can be replaced by ethyl-amine or piperidine. 45 805. Acetone condenses with pyrrol on the addition of a few drops of concentrated hydrochloric acid to give a crystalline product, the molecule of which is doubtless quadruple the formula given: C 4 H 4 N + CH 3 .CO.CH 3 = H 2 + C 7 H 9 N. 48 EARLE and KTRIAKIDES, U. S, Patent, 1,106,290. /. Soc. Chem. Ind., 33, 942 (1914). 43 PRIEBS, Annalen, 225, 321 (1884). 44 CLAISEN, Berichte, 14, 348 (1881). 45 KNOEVENAGEL German patents, 94,132, 97,735 and 164,296 (1904). 806 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 290 With 1 cc. hydrochloric acid, 14 g. pyrrol and 14 g. acetone dissolved in 80 cc. alcohol and heated, the yield is about 95 %. 46 806. Trioxymethylene can condense with benzene or its homologs in presence of anhydrous aluminum chloride to give at the same time diphenyl-methane (or a homolog) and anthracene : 47 4C 6 H 6 + (CH 2 0) 3 = C 6 H 6 .CH 2 .C 6 H5 + Ci 4 H 10 + 3H 2 O + H 2 . Chloral and bromal can react in the same way in the presence of anhydrous aluminum chloride on various aromatic compounds with the elimination of water and the loss of the aldehyde function. This takes place with benzene and its homologs : 2C 6 H 6 + CCls.CHO = H 2 + CCl3.CH(C 6 H 5 )2. Resorcine (in carbon disulphide solution) gives a similar reaction but with the simultaneous loss of hydrochloric acid : 48 2C 6 H 4 (OH) 2 + CC1 2 CHO = H 2 O + HC1 + CC1 2 : C[C 6 H 3 (OH) 2 ] 2 . Anisol reacts with chloral to give the compound, CC1 3 .CH- (C 6 H 4 OCH 3 ) 2 . 49 Naphthalene, anthracene, and phenanthrene react in an analogous manner with chloral and bromal in the presence of aluminum chloride but with the simultaneous loss of water and halogen hydride. Thus naphthalene gives the compound, CC1 2 : C(Ci H 7 ) 2 . 50 14. ELIMINATION OF WATER BETWEEN ALDEHYDES OR KETONES AND AMMONIA 807. Catalytic oxides can bring about the condensation of alde- hydes and ammonia in various ways. Acetaldehyde and ammonia passed over alumina below 300 give a certain amount of pyrrol by simultaneous dehydration and dehydro- genation: 51 CH 3 .CHO CH:CH\ + NH 3 = 2H 2 + H 2 + | )NH. CH 3 .CHO CH:CH/ 46 CHELINTZEV and TRUNOV, /. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 48, 105 (1916); C. A. u, 452 (1917). 47 FRANKFORTER and KOKATNUR, /. Amer. Chem. Soc., 36, 1529 (1914). 48 FRANKFORTER and DANIELS, J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 36, 1511 (1914). 49 FRANKFORTER and KRITCHEVSKY, J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 37, 2560 (1915). 60 FRANKFORTER, J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 37, 385 (1915). 291 DEHYDRATION 811 Acetaldehyde and benzaldehyde carried over alumina by ammonia at above 300, yield a- and y-phenyl-pyridines: 51 C 6 H 5 .CHO + 2CH 3 .CHO + NH 3 = 2H 2 + 3H 2 + C 5 H 4 N.C6H3. 808. Aldehydes and ammonia passed over thoria at 420-50 give, by simultaneous dehydration and dehydrogenation, a considerable proportion of nitriles: R.CHO + NH 3 = R.CN + H 2 O + H 2 . With isovaleric aldehyde, the yield of nitrile reaches 40% and equally good results are obtained with isobutyric, propionic, and even benzoic and anisic aldehydes. 52 809. In contact with thoria at 300-400, ketones and ammonia give ketimines. With benzophenone the yield is almost theoretical. 53 We have R\ R.CO.R' + NHa = H 2 + )C : NH. R/ 15. ELIMINATION OF WATER BETWEEN ALDEHYDES AND HYDROGEN SULPHIDE 810. In contact with alumina below 300, acetaldehyde condenses with hydrogen sulphide with simultaneous dehydration and dehydro- genation to give thiophene:* 1 2CH 3 CHO + H 2 S = H 2 + 2H 2 O + C 4 H 4 S 16. DEHYDRATION OF AMIDES 811. The dehydration of amides to nitriles can be effected by ap- propriate catalysts. The amide mixed with the catalyst is heated to 250-60 for 4 hours in a flask fitted with a reflux condenser. Four parts by weight of catalyst are used to one of amide. 64 Acetamide gave the following yields of acetonitrile: With alumina . 68 % lamp black 68 pumice 65 powdered glass 65 sand 52 51 CHICHIBABIN, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 47, 703 (1915); C. A., g t 2512 (1915). w MAILHE and DE GODON, Compt. rend., 166, 215 (1918). 63 MIGNONNAC, Compt. rend., 169, 237 (1919). 64 BOEHNER and ANDREWS, /. Amer. Chem. Soc., 38, 2503 (1916). 812 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 292 But better yields are obtained by carrying the amide in a current of air over the catalyst heated to 420, the yields being: 65 With pumice 91.5 alumina 82 sand 86.5 graphite 75.5 812. The same process can be applied to nascent amides furnished by the vapors of the acid with ammonia in excess in the presence of alumina or thoria at around 500. Alumina gives the best results. Starting with acetic acid an 85% yield of the nitrile is obtained. 66 813. We may put along side of the catalytic dehydration of amides to nitriles, the action of ammonia gas on the chlorides of acids in the presence of catalytic oxides. The amide formed is immediately de- hydrated to the nitrile. The mixture of ammonia and the acid chloride is passed over alumina at 490-500 and water and hydrogen chloride are eliminated: R.COC1 + NH 3 = R.CN + H 2 + HC1. High yields of the nitriles are obtained in this way from propionyl, isobutyryl, isovalyryl and benzoyl chlorides. As the ammonia gas is used in excess, ammonium chloride is formed and deposits in crystals in a receiver placed at the end of the reaction tube. 67 17. DEHYDRATION OF OXIMES 814. The aldoximes which are isomeric with the amides can be transformed into nitriles in the same way. The vapors of the aldoximes are passed over alumina or thoria maintained at 350-60 and give the nitriles. Isovalerald-oxime gave isovalero-nitrile and oenanthald- oxime gave hexyl cyanide. The ketoximes, when submitted to the action of these dehydration agents, undergo a complex reaction in which nitriles with one less carbon are formed. 68 18. DIRECT SULPHONATION OF AROMATIC COMPOUNDS 815. The direct sulphonation of aromatic compounds by means of concentrated sulphuric acid corresponds to the elimination of water and can be facilitated or modified by the presence of certain catalysts. 65 BOEHNER and WARD, J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 38, 2505 (1916). 66 VAN EPPS and REID, J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 38, 2128 (1916). " MAILHE, Bull. Soc. Chim. (4), 23, 380 (1918). " MAILHE and DE GODON, Bull Soc. Chim. (4), 23, 18 (1918). 293 DEHYDRATION 817 The addition of 1 part of iodine to 240 parts of benzene warmed with 584 parts sulphuric acid brings about complete sulphonation in 5 hours; the iodine is readily recovered. 59 60 816. The catalyst most commonly employed is mercuric sulphate. Benzoic acid heated with sulphuric acid alone gives only the meta and para derivatives, but in the presence of mercuric sulphate, the ortho is obtained. 61 Anthraquinone gives only the /3-monosulphonic acid with sulphuric acid alone, or the 2,6 and 2,7 disulphonic acids, when fuming sul- phuric is used. By heating to 130 with 0.5 part mercury to 110 parts sulphuric acid and 29 parts sulphur trioxide, the a-monosul phonic acid is ob- tained. At 160 with 1 part mercury to 200 parts sulphuric acid and 40 parts of the trioxide the disulphonic acids (1, 5), (1, 6), (1, 7), and (1, 8) are obtained. 62 63 Vanadium sulphate has been proposed for aiding the sulphonation of pyridine. 64 19. CONDENSATIONS BY ELIMINATING MOLECULES OF ALCOHOLS 817. It is convenient to consider reactions in which molecules of aliphatic alcohols are eliminated along with those in which water is abstracted. Anhydrous aluminum chloride is specially suitable as a catalyst for such condensations. Ethyl ether reacts with benzene in the presence of aluminum chlo- ride to form ethyl-benzene with the elimination of alcohol : 8B C 6 H 6 + (C 2 H 5 ) 2 = C 2 H 5 .OH + C 6 H 6 .C 2 H 6 . 59 HEINEMANN, English patent, 12,260 of 1915. /. Soc. Chem. Ind., 35, 1008 (1916). 80 According to RAY and DEY (J. Chem. Soc. 117, 1405 (1920)) iodine influences the sulphonation of many compounds notably that of benzoic acid, the sulphonic acid group taking the ortho position under the influence of iodine instead of meta and para: toluene, chlor- and brombenzenes are sulphonated in para position only instead of ortho and para. E. E. R. 61 DIMMROTH and VON SCHMAEDEL, Berichte, 40, 2411 (1907). 62 ILJINSKY, Berichte, 36, 4194 (1914). 63 In the absence of mercury salts, a very small proportion, about 3% of a sulphonic acid is formed along with the beta. The presence of the mercury salt does not seem to affect the rate of sulphonation in the beta position but increases the rate of sulphonation in the alpha position so enormously that the operation can be carried on at much lower temperatures and with weaker oleum under which conditions the formation of the /3-sulphonic acid is slow. E. E. R. 84 FARBW. v. F. BAYER & Co., German patent, 160,104. 'JANNASCH and BARTELS, Berichte, 31, 1716 (1898). 818 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 294 818. Under the same conditions benzene reacts with the chlor- methyl ethers by the elimination of alcohol to form benzyl chloride along with some of the ether C 6 H 5 .CH 2 .O.R(889). We have: 66 C 6 H 6 + C1CH 2 .O.R = ROH + C 6 H 5 .CH 2 C1. alcohol 819. Ethyl nitrate with benzene and aluminum chloride, gives a vigorous reaction which leads to nitrobenzene and the separation of alcohol : 67 C 6 H 6 + 2 N.O.C 2 H 5 = C 6 H 5 .N0 2 + C 2 H 5 .OH. 66 SOMMELET, Compt. rend., 157, 1443 (1913). 67 BOEDTKER, Bull Soc. Chim. (4), 3, 726 (1908). CHAPTER XVIII DECOMPOSITION OF ACIDS 820. The aliphatic acids are very stable under the action of heat, except formic, which is decomposed by heat under many conditions. We will take up separately the catalytic decomposition of formic acid and then the decomposition of other aliphatic and aromatic acids under the influence of metals and of oxides. The action of the oxides leads to important applications which will be studied in succession, the preparation of symmetrical ketones, of mixed ketones and of aldehydes. DECOMPOSITION OF FORMIC ACID 821. The decomposition of formic acid by heat may go in several distinct directions, either by the separation of carbon dioxide: H.C0 2 H = C0 2 + H 2 (1) or by the elimination of water: H.C0 2 H = CO + H 2 (2) or by the simultaneous elimination of water and carbon dioxide from two molecules: 2H . C0 2 H = H.CO.H + CO 2 + H 2 O. (3) formaldehyde If reactions (1) and (3) coexist, the nascent hydrogen from (1) may sometimes act on the formaldehyde produced in (3) to trans- form it into methyl alcohol. We will then have : 3H . CO 2 H = CH 3 . OH + 2C0 2 + H 2 O. (4) The presence of a given catalyst will have the effect of turning the decomposition either into one of these directions or into several at the same time, by lowering more or less the temperature of the decomposition. 1 BERTHELOT, Ann. Chim. Phys. (4), 18, 42 (1869). SAINTE-CLAIRE-DEVILLE and DEBRAY, Compt. rend., 78, 1782 (1874). BLACKADDER, Zeit. phys. Chem., 81, 385 (1912). 295 822 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 296 822. Reaction (1) which is a dehydrogenation, is produced at the ordinary temperature by rhodium black, 1 or by palladium black. 2 Reaction (2) which is a dehydration is brought about by sub- stances that take up water, sulphuric acid which acts below 100, dry oxalic acid above 105 or anhydrous sodium and potassium formates above 150 . 3 823. Sabatier and Mailhe have studied the decomposition of for- mic acid under the influence of various catalysts, including finely divided metals, anhydrous oxides and some other substances. 4 Com- parisons have been made under analogous experimental conditions, the addition of the formic acid being at about 0.27 g. per minute and the pulverulent solid catalyst forming a layer 50 cm. long in a hor- izontal Jena glass tube heated to a known temperature. The tube without catalyst gave a negligible decomposition below 300, while at 340 2.6 cc. of gas was collected per minute, chiefly a mixture of hydrogen and carbon dioxide (reaction 1) with a few per- cent of carbon monoxide (reaction 2). 824. The catalysts studied can be divided into three groups : 1st. Dehydrogenating Catalysts. These are the ones that cause re- action (1) almost exclusively, doubtless because they give rise to a temporary compound with one of the products, either hydrogen or carbon dioxide. The metals doubtless combine with the hydrogen : Palladium (sponge) acts at 110 and produces total decomposi- tion at 245. Platinum (sponge) begins to decompose it at 120, the reaction being complete at 215. Reduced copper (light violet) evolves at 190 278 cc. of gas containing equal amounts of hydrogen and carbon dioxide. Reduced nickel at 280 disengages 290 cc. gas containing only traces of carbon monoxide. Finely divided cadmium, prepared by reducing the oxide, gives 325 cc. gas per minute at 280. Stannous oxide begins to act above 150, while at 285 it evolves 172 cc. of gas, being slowly reduced to small globules of tin which con- tinue the catalysis. The gas contains a small excess of carbon dioxide due to reaction (3) which takes place to a slight extent. An analogous result is produced by zinc oxide where the temporary production of zinc carbonate is doubtless the cause of the reaction : it begins to act at about 190 and at 230 disengages 172 cc. of gas containing 51 % of carbon dioxide and 49 % of hydrogen by volume. 2 ZELINSKY and GLINKA, Berichte, 44, 2305 (1911). 3 LOBIN, Compt. rend., 82, 750 and Bull Soc. Chim. (2), 25, 517 (1876). 4 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 152, 1212 (1911). 297 DECOMPOSITION OF ACIDS 826 The production of formaldehyde according to equation (3) amounts to 2%. 5 At 245 this may be raised to 12% of formaldehyde. 6 825. 2nd. Dehydrating Catalysts. Reaction (2) takes place ex- clusively with titania above 170, and at 320 180 cc. of practically pure carbon monoxide is collected per minute. The blue oxide of tungsten (715) acts the same way : at 270 it gives 195 cc. carbon monoxide practically pure. The reaction goes in the same direction, but with reaction (3) as a side reaction to a slight extent, that is formaldehyde is produced equivalent to the carbon dioxide without hydrogen, with alumina, silica, zirconia, and uranous oxide, U02. With alumina; the decomposition, which begins at about 234, yields carbon monoxide containing 6% of the dioxide. Reaction (2) dominates but about 10% is decomposed according to (3) giving formaldehyde. At 340 the disengagement of gas reaches 192 cc. per minute, but the gas then contains a little hydrogen resulting from the partial decomposition of the formaldehyde. Silica, which is less active than alumina, gives about 3% of reaction (3). At 340, zirconia gives 144 cc. gas containing 5% of carbon dioxide: reaction (3) takes place to an extent of 10%. With uranous oxide, reaction (3) is almost as important as (2). 826. 3rd. Mixed Catalysts. These are the most numerous of all. They produce reactions (1) and (2) simultaneously, usually with (3) as a minor side reaction. This is what takes place with thoria. The decomposition shown by a slight evolution of gas, begins around 230. It is still quite slow at 250, and gives a gas which contains 75 % carbon monoxide, 15 % car- bon dioxide, and 10 % hydrogen; the condensed liquid contains formal- dehyde. These figures show that of 100 molecules of formic acid, 79 undergo reaction (2), the other 21 being equally divided between (1) and (3). Elevation of temperature modifies the conditions of the decompo- sition which is more and more rapid. At 320 the gas amounts to 120 cc. per minute and the carbon dioxide reaches 45 % and the liquid contains considerable methyl alcohol, resulting from the intervention of reaction (4) which may be regarded as a reduction of formic acid by formaldehyde: H.C0 2 H + H.CO.H = C0 2 + CH 8 .OH. 6 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 152, 1212 (1911). HOFMANN and SCHIBSTED, Berichte, 51, 1398 (1918). 827 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 298 The amount of methyl alcohol increases above 350 and as formalde- hyde is then partially decomposed into carbon monoxide and hydro- gen, the proportion of hydrogen increases while that of carbon dioxide decreases. At 375, the gas is 144 cc. per minute containing only 33 % carbon dioxide. The condensate contains methyl alcohol. 827. For certain mixed catalysts, reaction (1) predominates; this is the case with the blue oxide of molybdenum, Mo2C>2, resulting from the reduction of molybdic oxide by the formic acid at 340. The de- composition, already clean at 105, gives at 340, 325 cc. of gas con- taining only 5% carbon monoxide. Of 12 molecules of the acid, 9 decompose according to reaction (1), 2 according to (3) and 1 ac- cording to (2). Ferrous oxide, an active catalyst, and lime and broken Jena glass, mediocre catalysts, favor reaction (1) decidedly. 828. The two reactions (1) and (2) are of about equal importance with powdered white glass which acts at 240. The dehydration reaction (2) predominates as is indicated by the proportion of carbon dioxide being less than 33 %, with a large number of substances whose absolute activities differ greatly, thus: Powdered pumice liberates at 340 . . 4 cc. per minute. Magnesia 10 Charcoal from light wood 95 Light chromic oxide 150 Black vanadium oxide 215 Manganous oxide 225 Beryllium oxide 250 Reaction (3) takes place more or less with all of these. DECOMPOSITION OF MONOBASIC ORGANIC ACIDS 829. In the action of heat on monobasic organic acids we find the three types of reactions given above for formic acid (821), namely: 1st. Elimination of carbon dioxide: R.CO.OH = C0 2 + EH (1) hydrocarbon 2nd. Separation of water alone, which can take place with primary or secondary acids only: RR'.CH.CO.OH = H 2 + RR'C ; CO (2) ketene 3rd. Simultaneous elimination of water and carbon dioxide from two molecules of acid, giving a symmetrical ketone: 299 DECOMPOSITION OF ACIDS 831 2R .CO .OH = C0 2 + H 2 + R.CO.R (3) ketone Reaction (2) is realized only exceptionally, as in the case of the ac- tion of an incandescent platinum spiral on the vapors, not of acetic acid but of acetanhydride, giving the ketene, CH : CO, 7 because the ketenes that are formed are very unstable and tend to polymerize ending up with carbonaceous substances. Reactions (1) and (3) are of great importance. 830. Without the aid of a catalyst these two reactions take place simultaneously at a dull red heat: but the hydrocarbon and even the ketone are more or less destroyed and a complex pyrogenetic mixture results. The presence of a catalyst, either a finely divided metal or an oxide, orients the reaction and lowers the reaction temperature. With aliphatic acids, reaction (1) is the most difficult to effect and is obtained only with difficulty by the use of finely divided metals. On the contrary, reaction (3) is easily brought about by the aid of oxide catalysts and leads to a practical method for the preparation of symmetrical ketones. Aromatic and cyclic acids frequently give reaction (1) under the action of heat alone so that the aid of catalysts is often superfluous. However, the presence of suitably chosen catalysts can either accelerate reaction (1) or substitute for it, partially or entirely, reaction (3) which would not take place in their absence. But among the aro- matic acids it is necessary to distinguish between those in which the carboxyl is joined directly to the nucleus and those in which the car- boxyl is in a side chain. For the latter, e.g. phenyl-acetic acid, CeHs. = CH2.COOH, reaction (3) is easily realized by the aid of catalytic oxides as is the case with aliphatic acids. For the former, e.g. benzoic t CeH 6 .COOH, and the toluic acids, re- action (1) is the one that always tends to take place, reaction (3) being very difficult to obtain, at least with the aromatic acids alone. SIMPLE ELIMINATION OF CARBON DIOXIDE 831. In the case of aliphatic acids this is accomplished more or less by finely divided metals. Finely divided copper commences to decompose the vapors of acetic acid at 260, and an evolution of gas is obtained, slow at first but quite regular at 390-410, containing 7 volumes of carbon dioxide to 1 of methane. The formation of some acetone is observed. Reactions (1) and (3) are catalyzed and the composition of the gas shows that of 13 7 WILSMORE, J. Chem. Soc., 91, 1938 (1901). 832 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 300 molecules of the acid, 1 has decomposed according to reaction (1) and 12 have given acetone. 832. Reduced nickel causes, slowly below 240, rapidly above 320, an analogous decomposition. The gas contains 50% of methane and reaction (1) seems to have taken place exclusively, but a portion of the acids is decomposed into carbonaceous substances which are de- posited on the metal. 8 833. Other aliphatic acids give analogous results. The action of copper is slow. That of nickel is much more rapid: at 230, propionic acid is broken down into carbon dioxide and ethane which is largely decomposed into methane, carbon and hydrogen. No ketone is formed, but a part of the acid is reduced to the aldehyde. At 250, butyric acid gives analogous results, so do isobutyric and caproic. 9 834. With aromatic acids the decomposition into carbon dioxide and hydrocarbon is usually quite easy. The vapors of benzoic acid carried along by carbon dioxide over reduced copper at 550, are totally decomposed into benzene and car- bon dioxide. Over nickel, or over the oxide which is rapidly reduced at that temperature, the benzene produced is almost entirely broken up with the deposition of carbon and the liberation of hydrogen and methane. Under the same conditions, reduced iron gives benzene, which is par- tially destroyed, and some diphenyl. 10 835. In contact with copper powder, coumanic acid is regularly transformed into y-pyrone: 11 CO CO HC CH HC CH - +C0 2 . HC C.COOH HC CH v v - 836. The presence of alkaloids favors the decomposition of the carboxy-camp/ior acids at 70 into camphor and carbon dioxide. With an inactive alkaloid, in polarized light, the dextro and laevo acids are decomposed at the same rate; with an active alkaloid, the velocities are different. Thus with quinine a difference of 46% is found. 12 The conditions of this decomposition in the presence of quinoline, 8 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 4, 467 (1905). MAILHE, Bull. Soc. Chim. (4), 5, 616 (1909). 10 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 159, 217 (1914). 11 WILLSTATTER and PUMMERER, Berichte, 38, 1461 (1908). FAJANS, Zeit. physik. Chem., 73, 25 (1910). 301 DECOMPOSITION OF ACIDS 839 pyridine, piperidine, and of other amines, benzyl-amine, allyl-, iso- amyl-amine, etc., have been studied in detail, in various solvents at 80 with the result that the formation of a complex by the acid and the amine appears to be the cause of the catalysis in every case. 13 SIMULTANEOUS ELIMINATION OF WATER AND CARBON DIOXIDE I. Preparation of Symmetrical Ketones 837. This is the reaction that is specially catalyzed by metallic oxides. It is derived in fact from the old method of preparing symmetrical ketones by calcining at a red heat the calcium or barium salts of mon- obasic organic acids: (R.C0 2 ) 2 Ba = R.CO.R + BaCO 3 . Squibb conceived the idea of transforming this reaction into a cat- alytic one. By passing the vapors of acetic acid over barium carbonate heated to about 500, a regular and continuous decomposition of the acetic acids into acetone, water and carbon dioxide is obtained: 2CH 3 .C0 2 H = CHs.CO.CHs + C0 2 + H 2 O. The process which gives a yield of better than 90 % has been used industrially. The carbonates of all the metals whose acetates give acetone on calcination may be used. 14 We have studied above (161) the mechanism of this reaction. 838. Ipatief described an analogous formation when he used zinc oxide or carbonate or the carbonates of calcium, barium and strontium. Acetic acid gives acetone, and propionic acid, diethyl-ketone. 1 * 839. Calcium Carbonate. This is an excellent catalyst for acetic acid, a short column at 450 is sufficient to transform the acid com- pletely into practically pure acetone with the evolution of nothing but carbon dioxide and water. With propionic acid, the yield of diethyl-ketone is very satisfactory, some propionic aldehyde is obtained and the gas contains a little eth- ylene. This formation of the aldehyde increases with the complexity of the molecule and appears to be correlative to the production of the unsaturated hydrocarbon. We have: C n H 2n+1 CO.OH = C n H 2n + H.CO.OH. hydrocarbon formic acid 18 BREDIQ and JOYNER, Zeit. f. Elektrochem., 24, 285 (1918). 14 SQUIBB, J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 17, 187 (1895), and 18, 231 (1896). CONROT, Rev. gen. Sci., 13, 563 (1902). " IPATIEF and SCHULMANN, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 36, 764 (1904). 840 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 302 The formic acid thus produced can break up at once into COa + EU or into CO + H^O (821), but it can act also on the acid that is being used reducing it to the aldehyde (851). The secondary reactions, still more important for butyric acid, are exaggerated with isobutyric and isovaleric acids. The calcium carbonate used is blackened by the decomposition of a small portion of the acid, but nevertheless conserves its catalytic activ- ity almost indefinitely and remains as carbonate for the most part. 16 Benzoic acid is scarcely attacked till about 550, and gives chiefly benzene and carbon dioxide with only a little benzophenone and traces of anthraquinone. 17 The same difficulty is encountered with the typical aromatic acids in which the carboxyl is united directly to the nucleus, such as ortho, meta, and paratoluic acids and the naphthoic acids. On the contrary, aromatic acids in which the carboxyl is in a side chain, such as phenyl-acetic, and phenyl-propionic acids can be advan- tageously transformed into the corresponding symmetrical ketones at 430-70. 840. Among the metallic oxides the most suitable for the produc- tion of ketones are thoria and manganous oxide. It is sufficient to pass the vapors of the acid over a layer of the oxide, usually below 450. Alumina. Alumina gives very good results with acetic, not quite so good with propionic and quite poor with isobutyric. 1 * With benzole only a slow decomposition into benzene is effected. Chromic Oxide. The results are analogous to those obtained with alumina. Uranium and Zirconium Oxides. These give nearly the same re- sults but their activity diminishes quite rapidly. Lime. Lime acts as the carbonate. When it is used at 400, it is possible to observe the formation of the intermediate salt, the decom- position of which furnishes the ketone and which is decomposed only above 420 for the acetate and 460 for the butyrate. The temperatures reached can account for some decomposition of the ketones formed. 841. Zinc Oxide. With zinc oxide, the acetate is decomposed above 280 and very rapidly at 340; the production of acetone is therefore very easy. The difficulty of forming the ketone increases with the molecular weight of the acid and is partly due to the volatility of the zinc salt. Benzoic acid is not attacked below 500 and then gives only benzene. 16 SABATIER and MAILHE, Bull. Soc. Chim. (4), 13, 319 (1913) and Compt. rend., 156, 1730 (1913). 17 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 159, 217 (1914). " SENDERENS, Bull. Soc. Chim. (4), 3, 824 (1908). 303 DECOMPOSITION OF ACIDS 844 842. Cadmium Oxide. This is slowly reduced by the acid vapors but without the activity being diminished by the formation of the metal which can be seen sublimed in the tube. At 400-450 it can readily transform acetic, propionic, butyric and valeric adds into their symmetrical ketones; the results are not so good with branched chain acids as isobutyric and isovaleric, with which the gas evolved is no longer pure carbon dioxide but contains considerable amounts of the unsaturated hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and hydrogen. 19 It acts at 450, and violently at 500, on the vapors of benzoic acid to give benzene, the reduction of the oxide hardly modifying the catalysis. 20 843. Oxides of Iron. Ferrous oxide resulting from the calcination of the oxalate as well as ferric oxide which is rapidly reduced to the ferrous, can give good results with aliphatic acids at 450-90. The yield of ketone is excellent with acetic or propionic, good with caprylic and poor with isobutyric or isovaleric acid. 21 The immediate formation of a ferrous compound is the basis of a process for the preparation of ketones by heating an acid with 10% of its weight of iron scale : this works well for the higher fatty acids from lauric up to melissic. Thus stearic acid gives 80 % of the ketone. The results are not so good with olelc, elaidic, and brassidic and are poor with the lower acids, acetic, butyric, etc., as well as with phenyl- acetic, benzoic, suberic, and sebacic. 22 With benzoic acid at 550, ferric oxide acts like iron (834), but its simultaneous reduction causes the formation of a certain amount of phenol which results from the oxidation of the benzene formed. 23 844. Thoria. Thoria of which the valuable qualities of constant activity and ready revivification have been mentioned in connection with the dehydration of alcohols (708), gives excellent results with various monobasic aliphatic acids and enables us to prepare with good yields, acetone, diethyl-ketone, dipropyl-ketone, diisopropyl-ketone, diiso- butyl-ketone, dibutyl-ketone, etc., as well as ketones derived from aro- matic acids in which the carboxyl is not joined immediately to the nucleus, such as phenyl-acetic, /3-phenyl-propionic, etc. 24 Benzoic acid is only slowly attacked by thoria even at 550 and then is only decomposed into benzene and carbon dioxide. 25 19 MAILHE, Bull. Soc. Chim. (4), 13, 666 (1913). 20 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 159, 217 (1914). 21 MAILHE, Compt. rend., 157, 219 (1913). 22 EASTERFIELD and TAYLOR, /. Chem. Soc., 99, 2298 (1911). 23 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 159, 217 (1914). 24 SENDERENS, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 18, 243 (1913). 25 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 159, 217 (1914). 845 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 304 845. Manganous Oxide. This oxide prepared by calcining the precipitated carbonate in the vapor of methyl alcohol, is on account of its low price and its great activity, very useful for the preparation of ketones at 400-450. The carbonaceous deposits do little harm and the same lot of oxide has been used in 22 different preparations. In the case of slightly volatile acids, carbon dioxide is used to carry their vapors along. The yields of symmetrical ketones are very high, not only for ace- tic, propionic and valeric acids, but also for isobutyric, with which an experiment carried out at 400-410 gave a 70% yield, with caproic, heptoic, nonylic as well as with phenyl-acetic. With benzoic acid at 550 a little benzophenone is formed, but chiefly benzene. 846. Lithium Carbonate. At 550 this is the most advantageous catalyst for transforming benzoic acid into benzophenone, always ac- companied by a little anthraquinone; but even in this, the most favorable case, much benzene is formed. 27 847. Formation of Ketones in Liquid Medium. In the case of monobasic acids which boil above 300, the ketones can be formed by heating the acids somewhat above 300 with various catalysts, includ- ing the oxides mentioned above, silica, silicates and also finely divided metals. Stearic acid yields stearone in 3 hours. 27 II. Preparation of Mixed Ketones 848. A long time ago Williamson showed that the calcination of a mixture of the calcium salts of two fatty acids gave the mixed ketone: 28 (R.C0 2 ) 2 Ca + (R / .C0 2 ) 2 Ca = 2CaC0 3 + 2R.CO.R'. It might be expected that the catalytic decomposition by means of oxides when applied, not to a single acid but to a mixture of two acids, would give the mixed ketone derived from the two acids instead of the symmetrical ketone. Senderens found this to be the case. We have: R.CO 2 H + R'.CO 2 H = C0 2 + H 2 O + R.CO.R'. A simple method of preparing mixed ketones is to pass a mixture of the vapors of the two acids over thoria at about 400. For the success of this method it is sufficient that one of the acids is catalyzed by thoria: we may use two aliphatic acids or one ali- phatic with benzoic or a toluic acid, but not benzoic with a toluic. 26 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 158, 830 (1914). 27 SCHICHT ACT. GES. and GRUN, German patents, 295,657 and 296,677. J . Soc. Chem. Ind., 36, 569 and 615 (1917). 28 WILLIAMSON, Annalen, 81, 86 (1852). 305 DECOMPOSITION OF ACIDS 851 The chief reaction is usually that which furnishes the mixed ke- tone, but it is always accompanied by the reactions that the two acids would undergo separately. We obtain three ketones if we start with two aliphatic acids or an aliphatic and phenyl acetic, but only two when an aliphatic acid is used with benzoic, a toluic, or a naphthoic. The separation of the ketones is easily accomplished by fractiona- tion. Numerous mixed ketones have been prepared in this way. 849. The green oxide of uranium, though less active, can replace thoria for this preparation: zirconia acts in the same way, but does not give as good results with the homologs of benzoic acid. Lime, zinc oxide, alumina, and chromic oxide produce acetophenone easily but give poorer and poorer results as the aliphatic acid increases in molec- ular weight. Titania, stannic oxide and ceria give decomposition products chiefly. 29 Cadmium oxide, ferrous and ferric oxides,* and calcium carbonate are excellent catalysts for mixed ketones. 31 850. Manganous oxide at 400-450 is as good as thoria and by its use mixed ketones have been prepared from benzoic add with lauric, myristic, CuK^Ou, and stearic, Ci8H 36 O 2 , as well as phenyl-acetic* 2 CATALYTIC PREPARATION OF ALDEHYDES 851. If in Williamson's method for preparing mixed ketones, one of the calcium salts is a formate, an aldehyde M is produced accom- panied by the decomposition products of the individual salts, the symmetrical ketone, R.CO.R, formaldehyde, and methyl alcohol as well as gaseous products from the formate: (R.C0 2 ) 2 Ca + (H.C0 2 ) 2 Ca = 2CaC0 3 + 2R.CO.H aldehyde Analogies would lead us to expect that a mixture of the vapors of formic acid and another monobasic organic acid passed over an oxide catalyst would give the aldehyde corresponding to that acid according to the reaction: R.C0 2 H + H.CO 2 H = R.CO.H + CO 2 + H 2 O. 89 SENDERENS, Loc. cit. 10 MAILHE, Compt. rend., 157, 219 (1913). 11 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 156, 1732 (1913). " SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 158, 830 (1914). M LIMPRICHT, Annalen, 97, 368 (1856). PIRIA, Ann. Chim. Phys. (3), 48, 113 (1856). 852 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 306 852. Sabatier and Mailhe were able to realize this reaction with titanic, as a catalyst. This constitutes a general method for the prep- aration of aldehydes from acids. It is sufficient to pass the vapors of the acid mixed with an excess for formic acid over titania heated to 300. There is evolved a mixture of carbon monoxide resulting from the decomposition of the formic acid by the titania (825) and carbon dioxide from the desired reaction. The condensate is a mixture of water, aldehyde, and unchanged acids from which the aldehyde is easily separated. Aldehydes derived from various aliphatic acids up to CQ have been thus prepared with yields above 40% and reaching 90%. Thus nonylic, or pelargonic acid, gives 85% of nonylic aldehyde. Usually no ketone is formed; only very small amounts of the ketones are formed with acids containing more than 5 carbon atoms. The unsaturated acid, crotonic, is likewise transformed into the aldehyde. The reaction gives poor results with benzole add but works well with phenyl-acetic, the constitution of which is more like the aliphatic acids. It gives a 70% yield. 34 853. Manganous oxide can be substituted for titania and has the advantages of being readily prepared and of retaining its activity be- cause it gives rise to less tarry deposits. The operation should be conducted at a little higher temperature, 300-350. The yields are very satisfactory, reaching 50% with isovaleric acid. Caproic, heptoic, octoic, and nonylic aldehydes have been prepared in this way. 35 854. The use of thoria is less advantageous because it requires a higher temperature and because it favors the formation of ketones which are found with the aldehydes; however, by operating at 270- 300, 25 to 30 %, and sometimes more, of the aldehydes are obtained. 34 DECOMPOSITION OF DIBASIC ACIDS 855. Solid oxalic acid, HOOC.COOH, mixed with alumina is de- composed below 100 into water, carbon monoxide and dioxide. 36 Glycerine mixed with crystallized oxalic acid produces a different result: at 100-110 carbon dioxide and formic acid are produced: HOOC.COOH = C0 2 + H.C0 2 H. When the reaction dies down all that is necessary to start it again is to add some more oxalic acid and so on, the glycerine being able to 14 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 154, 561 (1912). 85 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 158, 985 (1914). " SENDERENS, Butt. Soc. Chim. (4), 3, 828 (1908). 307 DECOMPOSITION OF ACIDS 857 serve almost indefinitely, and hence playing the part of a catalyst. In reality there is first the production of a glycerine mono-oxalate: HOH 2 C.CH(OH).CH 2 OH + HOOC.COOH = H 2 O + HOH 2 C . CH (OH) . CH 2 . C0 2 . COOH. At 100-110 this ester loses water and gives the monoformine, HOH 2 C.CH(OH).CH 2 .CO 2 H, which is saponified by the water set free in the first reaction liberating formic acid and glycerine which is thus free to recommence the process. 856. The use of manganous oxide permits the preparation of cyclo- pentanones from e-dibasic fatty adds. The vapors of adipic acid carried along by a current of carbon dioxide over manganous oxide at 350, give an 85% yield of cyclo- pentanone: CH 2 . CH 2 . C0 2 H CH 2 . CH 2 \ = C0 2 + H 2 + /CO. CH 2 . CH 2 . C0 2 H CH 2 , CH 2 / Likewise f3-methyl-cyclopentanone is prepared from f3-methyl-adipic acid. 37 But with suberic acid, in which the carboxyl groups are separated by 6 carbon atoms, the process gives only a poor yield of suberone and tarry substances are formed which gum up the catalyst. 38 CATALYTIC DECOMPOSITION OF ACID ANHYDRIDES 857. The anhydrides like the acids can be decomposed catalyt- ically to form the corresponding symmetrical ketones, carbon dioxide only being eliminated: R.CO.O.CO.R = C0 2 + R.CO.R. Precipitated calcium carbonate gives good results at 450-500 with the anhydrides of acetic, propionic, isovaleric, etc., acids. Thoria is also suitable for this reaction. This process gives a mixed ketone along with the two symmetrical ketones when an acid and the anhydride of another acid are used together. 39 37 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 158, 985 (1914). 88 GODCHOT and TABOURY, Bull Soc. Chim. (4), 25, 352 (1919). 39 SABATIER and MAILHE, Bull. Soc. Chim. (4), 13, 320 (1913), and Compt. rend., 156, 1733 (1913). CHAPTER XIX DECOMPOSITION OF ESTERS OF ORGANIC ACIDS i. ESTERS OF MONOBASIC ACIDS 858. IN the absence of catalysts the esters of monobasic acids are difficult to decompose by simply heating; the decomposition is slow and such high temperatures are required that the molecules are broken up. We may mention that ethyl benzoate heated in a sealed tube above 300 is slowly decomposed into benzoic acid and ethylene. Colson, who noted this reaction and a similar decomposition of ethyl stearate, considered this tendency to decompose into the acid and an unsatu- rated hydrocarbon a general property of esters. 1 The presence of a catalyst acting at the same time on the alcohols end on the acids should greatly facilitate the decomposition of esters which should yield, in conformity with what has been said above, the unsaturated hydrocarbon and the decomposition products of the acid, water, carbon dioxide, and the symmetrical ketone. Some observa- tions relative to the action of alumina on ethyl acetate, propionate and butyrate confirmed this prediction, but on the contrary, these same esters gave with thoria a complicated decomposition which has not been cleared up. 2 Sabatier and Mailhe have studied a great number of cases of the action of various catalytic oxides on esters of various sorts and have indicated the general conditions that govern the decomposition. 3 Formic esters require separate treatment and will be taken up after the other esters. 859. If an ester derived from a primary aliphatic alcohol and from a monobasic organic acid, other than formic, be brought in contact with a catalytic oxide, MO, derived from an amphoteric hydroxide, M(OH) 2 , the following reaction will take place: 2R.CQ.OC n H 2n+ i + 2MO = (R.COO) 2 M + (CnH n2+ iO)2M. ester The salt, (RCO.O) 2 M, and the alcohol derivative, (C n H 2n +iO) 2 M are both unstable, if the oxide chosen is at the same time a catalyst 1 COLSON, Compt. rend., 147, 1054 (1908). 2 SENDERENS, Bull. Soc. Chim. (4), 5, 482 (1909). 3 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 152, 669 (1912), and 154, 49 and 175 (1912). 308 309 DECOMPOSITION OF ESTERS OF ORGANIC ACIDS 861 for the decomposition of alcohols and of acids at the operating tem- perature. 860. First Case. If the instability of the two temporary com- pounds is of the same order they will decompose simultaneously and the decomposition becomes: (R.CO.R + C0 2 1 (1) 2R . CO . OC n H 2n+ i + 2MO = \ ketone I + 2MO. 2CnH 2n hydrocarbon A symmetrical ketone is produced and an unsaturated hydrocarbon which, if it is a gas (ethylene, propylene and butylene) has twice the volume of the carbon dioxide produced. This was the case in the experiments with alumina mentioned above (858). If the ester is a methyl ester there is no separation of water, and methyl ether, (CH 3 ) 2 O, is formed. 861. Second Case. If the catalyst is more active toward acids than with alcohols, the decomposition of the complex, (R.CO.O) 2 M, is more rapid than that of the alcohol compound. The water formed in reaction (1) has time to react with an equivalent amount of the latter and decomposes it to regenerate the alcohol: , + H 2 = MO + 2C n H 2n+1 .OH. alcohol This combined with the former reaction gives: (2) 4R.CO.OC n H 2n+l = 2R.CO.R+2C0 2 4-2C n H 2n +2C n H 2n+1 .OH. ketone There is the simultaneous formation of ketone and alcohol and of equal volumes of carbon dioxide and of unsaturated hydrocarbon (if it is a gas). This is usually the case with decompositions caused by thoria, e.g. at 310 with ethyl acetate, propyl acetate, propyl propionate, isobutyl acetate, and ethyl caproate.* 4 Titania prepared by the precipitation of the hydroxide from the sulphate cata- lyzes the decomposition of ethyl acetate two thirds according to the equation: (1) CH 3 C0 2 C 2 H 6 . CA + CHsCOOH and one third according to: (2) 2CH 3 CO 2 C 2 H 6 - CH 3 COCH, + CO 2 + C 2 H 4 + H 2 O Titania prepared by precipitating blue titanous hydroxide from a solution of titanous chloride, and then allowing this to oxidise to the white titanic hydroxide while suspended in the solution, catalyzed the reaction one third according to (1) and two thirds according to (2). Thoria prepared by ignition of the nitrate gives very little ethylene, as was found by Sabatier, but thoria prepared by precipitation of the hydroxide gives almost as much ethylene as would be called for by (2). Alumina does not only give reaction (2) but a fifth to two thirds of the ethyl acetate is decomposed according to (1). The method of preparation of the cata- lyst and the length of time it has been used determine the proportions. Homer Adkins. 862 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 310 862. Elevation of temperature accelerates the decomposition of the unstable intermediates and tends to bring the reaction nearer to (1). This is the case with isobutyl acetate over thoria at above 350 and for ethyl caproate at about 360. Besides when the temperature becomes high, the alcohols suffer more or less decomposition into hy- drogen and aldehydes, easy to recognize, and these may be partially split up into hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide. 863. Third Case. If the catalyst is less active with acids than with alcohols, the temporary complex, (R.CO.O) 2 M, will be decom- posed only slowly. The water set free by the rapid decomposition of the alcohol complex will act on the above to set the acid free: (R.CO.O) 2 M + H 2 = MO + 2R.CO.OH. acid In this case the formation of ketone and liberation of carbon di- oxide are less important : the production of unsaturated hydrocarbon and setting free of acid predominate. This is what takes place over titania with esters of acetic, propi- onic, butyric and valeric acids, which acids it decomposes more slowly than it does the alcohols. 864. Fourth Case. The exaggeration of the preceding case is found with those catalysts which are active with alcohols but are in- capable of decomposing acids. This is the case with various catalytic oxides, e.g. thoria and titania with esters of benzoic and toluic acids, and with boric anhydride with esters of aliphatic acids, since boric acid can form the temporary complexes with the alcohols only. In such cases we may write the reaction as follows: 2R.CO.OC n H 2n+1 + MO = M(OC n H 2n+ i) 2 + (R.CO) 2 Q anhydride = MO + 2C n H 2n + H 2 + (R.CO) 2 = MO + 2CnH 2n + 2R.C0 2 H. acid There will be a total regeneration of the acid with the formation of the unsaturated hydrocarbon exclusively. It has been found that ethyl benzoate is decomposed into benzoic acid and ethylene by thoria above 400, as in Colson's sealed tube. Likewise ethyl valerate catalyzed by boric anhydride above 400, gives ethylene and valeric acid exclusively. 865. Methyl esters which can give only methyl ether are difficult to decompose : the reaction, which requires a higher temperature, yields exclusively carbon dioxide, methyl ether and the ketone, fre- quently partially decomposed, and resulting water which may saponify a part of the ester to form free acid and methyl alcohol. 311 DECOMPOSITION OF ESTERS OF ORGANIC ACIDS 868 Catalytic Decomposition of Formic Esters 866. In the absence of catalysts, formic esters are quite stable " when the vapors of ethyl formate are passed through a glass tube at 400, no appreciable decomposition is observed, but the decomposition is very rapid in contact with catalysts that decompose formic acid (821), and takes place at temperatures lower than those required for the esters of other aliphatic acids, but higher than those required by formic acid. Sabatier and Mailhe have shown that this decomposition takes place according to two different reactions at the same time, the one similar to the usual decomposition of esters of other aliphatic acids: (1) 2H .CO 2 C n H 2n41 = H.CO.H + CO 2 + (CnH 2n+] ) 2 O formaldehyde ether the ether surviving only in the case of methyl ether, splitting in other cases into water and unsaturated hydrocarbon (H 2 O + 2C n H 2n ) ; the other always predominating, is peculiar to formic esters: (2) H.C0 2 C n H 2n+1 = CO + C n H 2n+1 .OH. alcohol A portion of this alcohol is decomposed at the reaction tempera- ture, either into aldehyde and hydrogen (with metals or manganous oxide), or into unsaturated hydrocarbon and water (with thoria and alumina), or in both ways (with mixed catalysts). The water result- ing from reaction (1) or from the dehydration of the alcohol formed according to equation (2) can saponify a part of the ester to alcohol and free formic acid which is then decomposed in the way already described (821). 5 867. Metals. Finely divided metals can easily cause the decom- position of formic esters, nickel above 220, platinum above 270, and copper above 350. Reaction (2) greatly predominates and gives the alcohol which the metal breaks down to aldehyde, along with the car- bon monoxide. With copper or with nickel at a low temperature the aldehyde survives, but with platinum or with nickel at a high temperature (618) it is largely destroyed. 868. Titania. Reaction (2) takes place almost exclusively. From methyl formate, methyl alcohol and methyl ether resulting from its partial dehydration are obtained. The gas collected over water is practically pure carbon monoxide without the dioxide because the for- mic acid, under these conditions, gives only carbon monoxide and water (825). 8 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 154, 49 (1912). 869 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 312 869. Zinc Oxide. It is again reaction (2) that predominates, but the formic acid that is set free by the water resulting from the dehy- dration of the alcohol, is decomposed by the catalyst into water and carbon dioxide which is found mixed with the monoxide. 870. Thoria. Reaction (2) predominates but is accompanied by (1) which furnishes a certain amount of formaldehyde which is diminished as the reaction temperature is raised. 2 DECOMPOSITION OF ESTERS IN THE PRESENCE OF AMMONIA 871. When the vapors of an ester of an organic monobasic acid mixed with ammonia are passed over thoria or alumina at about 480-90, nitriles are obtained by the elimination of water and alcohol or of decomposition products of the alcohol. Methyl esters give the alcohol, partially split into methyl ether and water or into formaldehyde and hydrogen. Esters of other aliphatic alcohols give the unsaturated hydrocarbons, while phenol esters yield phenol the major portion of which remains: R.CO.OR' + NH 3 = H 2 + R'OH + RON. Ethyl acetate gives ethylene and acotonitrile and isoamyl acetate yields amylene and acetonitrik, while phenyl acetate liberates the same nitrile and phenol. Analogous results have been obtained with esters of propionic, bu- tyric, isovakric, nonylic and caproic adds. Methyl benzoate gives more than 80% of benzonitrile with methyl alcohol and formaldehyde. Ethyl and isopropyl benzoates yield the same nitrile. The esters of the three toluic acids behave in the same way. Ethyl a- and /3-naphthoates are almost quantitatively transformed into the a- and /3-naphthonitriles. Ethyl phenyl-acetate gives an excellent yield of benzyl cyanide. 6 3. ESTERS OF DIBASIC ACIDS 872. The catalytic decomposition of esters of dibasic acids has been as yet very incompletely studied. Catalytic oxides such as alumina and thoria cause decompositions readily. If we extend to the esters of dibasic acids the interpretation above set forth for the action of these oxides, we can predict that an oxide, MO, will effect the reaction: MAILHE, Bull Soc. Chim. (4), 23, 232 (1918). 313 DECOMPOSITION OF ESTERS OF ORGANIC ACIDS 873 /CO. OR /CO.Ov /OR (CH 2 ) X ( + 2MO = (CH 2 ) X ( )M + M( \CO.OR \CO.O/ \OR ester metal salt alcoholate If the oxide is at the same time a catalyst for acids and for alco- hols, the compounds thus formed will be unstable and will decompose as follows: /CO.Ov XXX (CH 2 ) X ( )M = MO + (CH 2 ) X ( >o \co.o/ \co/ anhydride /OR R\ and: M( = MO + )O. \OR R/ ether The oxide, MO, is entirely regenerated and can carry on the reaction indefinitely. We will obtain as results of the catalysis, the acid anhy- dride, or its debris, if it is unstable, the ether, or in most cases, the catalytic decomposition products of that ether, i.e. water and an unsaturated hydrocarbon. 873. These predictions have been verified by Sabatier and Mailhe in the case of the neutral esters of oxalic, malonic and succinic acids over thoria. 7 C0\ Oxalic anhydride, X), is unknown and the mixture, CO 2 + CO/ XXX CO, is obtained in its place. Malonic anhydride, CBk X), is equally unstable and decomposes into carbon suboxide, CO : C : CO, which polymerizes into reddish products or decomposes into carbon monoxide, dioxide and carbon. Succinic anhydride is stable it the temperature is not too high and can be collected as crystals melting at 177. If the temperature is above 350, it is decomposed into carbon monoxide and dioxide, ethyl- ene and condensation products. These results have been verified for the ethyl, propyl, isobutyl and isoamyl esters of the three acids : except in the case of the ethyl esters, where the stable ethyl ether can be collected, the debris of the esters, water and the unsaturated hydrocarbon, are found. 8 7 SABATIER and MAILHE, Bull. Soc. Chim. (4), n, 369 (1912). 8 SABATIER and MAILHE, Loc. dt. and unpublished results. 874 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 314 With esters of oxalic add, the catalytic decomposition begins at very moderate temperatures and is already rapid at 220: higher tem- peratures are required for malonates and still higher for succinates. A decomposition of this nature has been found in the particular case of ethyl oxalate over alumina: at 200, ethyl ether, carbon mon- oxide and dioxide are obtained, while at 360, the ethyl ether is re- placed by ethylene. 9 874. The catalytic decomposition of ethyl succinate over alumina at 400, according to Senderens, liberated ethylene and carbon dioxide and produced p. cyclohexadione. 10 But Sabatier and Mailhe were not able to verify this and obtained only succinic anhydride along with ethylene and carbon dioxide. The same results were obtained with alumina at 260. Ethyl glutarate over alumina at 270, gave only ethylene and glu- taric add. Ethyl adipate furnished ethylene and adipic add at 300. ll At higher temperatures this should have given cyclopentanone (856). SENDERENS, Bull Soc. Chim. (4), 3, 826 (1908). " SENDERENS, Bull. Soc. Chim. (4), 5, 485 (1909). 11 MICHIELS, Bull. Soc. Chim. Beige, 27, 227 (1913); C. A., 8, 1106 (1914). CHAPTER XX ELIMINATION OF HYDROGEN HALIDES OR SIMILAR MOLECULES 875. THE elimination of hydrogen halides can take place from a single molecule or by condensation from two molecules. Anhydrous chlorides are the chief catalysts in both cases. i. ELIMINATION OF HYDROGEN HALIDE FROM A SINGLE MOLECULE 876. When an alkyl mono-chloride is passed over a layer of various anhydrous metal chlorides in a tube maintained at above 260 there is rapid decomposition into unsaturated hydrocarbon and hydrochloric acid: C n H.2n+lCl = HC1 -f- CnHiJn' Methyl chloride alone does not decompose in this way. Barium, nickel, cobalt, lead, cadmium and ferrous chlorides are suit- able for effecting this reaction. Primary chlorides are decomposed above 260 and rapidly at 300 while secondary and tertiary are still more easily acted on. The same metal chlorides decompose alkyl mono-bromides or mono- iodides in the same way to form hydrobromic or hydroiodic acids, but higher temperatures are required. 1 The recombination of the unsaturated hydrocarbon with the lib- erated hydrogen halide takes place to a certain extent in the tube beyond the catalytic chloride and may yield a certain amount of secondary or tertiary isomers of the original alkyl halide. Dry barium chloride gives very good results and can effect this decomposition indefinitely; if it is dissolved in water after long use, there is a small residue of viscous very condensed hydrocarbons with a petroleum odor. The chlorides of monovalent metals, silver, sodium, and potassium are inactive. The process applies to monochlor derivatives of cyclohexane and cyclopentane. It can succeed with unsaturated mono-chlorides and even 1 SABATIER and MAILHE, CompL rend., 141, 238 (1905). 315 877 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 316 with halogenated alcohols 2 as well as with dichlorcyclohexane which is converted to dihydrobenzene. 3 877. Anhydrous aluminum chloride acts actively in the same man- ner, but it has the disadvantage of producing liquid products that hinder the continuation of the catalysis. It has been used to trans- form propyl chloride into propylene.* 878. The catalysis can be explained by the assumption of an un- stable organo-metallic combination derived from the alkyl chloride: C n H 2+n+ i.Cl + BaCl 2 = HC1 + Cl.Ba.C n H 2 n.Cl. The mixed complex thus formed would decompose rapidly to give the unsaturated hydrocarbon: Cl.Ba.C n H 2n .Cl = BaCl 2 + C 2 H 2n . The regenerated chloride can repeat the cycle of reactions indefi- nitely. The formation of such a mixed complex can be observed in the case of anhydrous aluminum chloride: mixed with isobutyl chloride at -10, no reaction takes place but if the mixture is warmed to 0, hydrogen chloride and isobutylene are evolved and an intensely colored liquid is formed. At 300, ferric chloride causes the elimination of hydrogen chloride, but no isobutylene is formed; a solid of high molecular weight is produced. Chromic chloride, CrCla, does not act. 6 879. As has been mentioned above (876), this kind of catalysis can be applied to poly-halogen derivatives. Heptachlorpropane, CC1 3 . CC1 2 . CHC1 2 , is decomposed above 250 by cuprous chloride with the elimination of hydrogen chloride to give pentachlor-propylene, CCls . CC1 : CC1 2 at the same time that a split- ting of the molecule yields chloroform and tetrachlorethylene, C 2 Cl4. Zinc and barium chlorides have little action. 6 Aluminum chloride gives a reaction which is limited by the reverse combination of the chloro- form with the tetrachlorethylene (902). 880. Benzyl chloride is easily decomposed by various anhydrous chlorides particularly those of barium and nickel, into hydrochloric acid and a very high molecular weight compound of the empyrical formula CyH^, previously discovered by Cannizzaro and identical with 8 BADISCHB, German patent, 255,519 (1913). BADISCHE, French patent, 441,203. 4 KEREZ, Annalen, 231, 306 (1885). 6 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 141, 238 (1905). BOESEKEN, VAN DEB ScHEER and BE VOGT, Rec. Trav. Chim. Pays-Bas, 34, 78 (1915). 317 ELIMINATION OF HYDROGEN HALIDES 884 that formed by the dehydration of benzyl alcohol (714) 7 and which is perhaps hexaphenyl-cyclohexane, (C6H 5 .CH) 6 . The reaction is: x(C 6 H 5 .CH 2 Cl) = xHCl + (C 6 H 5 .CH) X . 881. Anhydrous metallic oxides can likewise effect the decomposi- tion of alkyl halides in consequence of the formation of a certain amount of the corresponding chloride. When isobutyl chloride is passed over alumina at above 250, the slight dissociation of the alkyl chloride at that temperature can account for the formation of a little chloride or oxy-chloride of aluminum which starts the catalytic action and the amount of which increases rapidly in consequence of the hyd- rochloric acid evolved. This is the explanation of the decomposi- tions of alkyl chlorides with alumina that have been described. 8 Thoria above 390 has been proposed for the decomposition of tetra- chlor ethane into trichlorethylene: there is the simultaneous formation of carbon hexachloride, Cede. 9 882. It is probably the formation of nickel chloride also, to which may be attributed the identical catalytic effect of reduced nickel on alkyl chlorides in the presence of hydrogen; the decomposition takes place easily above 250. 10 2. CONDENSATIONS EFFECTED BETWEEN MOLECULES WITH ELIMINATION OF HYDROGEN HALIDE 883. Anhydrous aluminum chloride causes condensation with elim- ination of hydrochloric acid between aromatic hydrocarbons and various alkyl or cyclo-alkyl chlorides and bromides effecting the synthesis of a large number of aromatic compounds. This is the basis of the Friedel and Crafts synthesis. 11 I. Alkylation of Aromatic Hydrocarbons 884. Method of Operating. It is common to use a large well dried flask with a stopper through which passes a very large tube the upper end of which is closed by a stopper and which permits the introduc- tion of the solid aluminum chloride and on the side of which is fused a tube inclined upward and connected with a reflux condenser. The hydrogen chloride which is evolved escapes at the top of this con- 7 CANNIZZAKO, Annalen, 92, 114 (1854). 8 SENDERENS, Bull. Soc. Chim. (4), 3, 823 (1908). 9 CHEM. FABR. BUCKATJ, German patent, 274,782, J. Soc. Chem. Ind. t 33, 807 (1914). 10 SABATIER and MAILHE, Compt. rend., 138, 407 (1904). 11 FRIEDEL and CRAFTS, Ann. Chim. Phys. (6), i, 489 (1884). 885 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 318 denser and may be led into a tarred flask of water, the gain in weight of which serves as a means of following the reaction so that it may be stopped when the theoretical amount of this acid has been liberated. The aromatic hydrocarbon in large excess (usually 10 times the calculated amount) is mixed with the halogen compound with which it is to react and put into the flask which is warmed on the water bath. The well pulverized anhydrous aluminum chloride is added in small portions, 2 to 20 g. at a time. Whenever the evolution of hydrogen chloride dies down a fresh portion of the chloride is added. If the alkyl halide is a gas (methyl or ethyl chloride), it may be passed into the flask after the addition of a certain amount of alu- minum chloride. When the reaction is considered finished, the flask is cooled and the mixture is poured into a large excess of cold water acidulated with hydrochloric acid; the oily layer is separated, washed and dried and fractionated. The simplest case is methyl chloride with benzene: C 6 H 6 + CH 3 C1 = HC1 + C 6 H 5 .CH 3 . toluene 885. Often excellent yields are obtained but the chief product is always accompanied by others, particularly the di- and tri- sub- stituted, resulting from the reaction of the first product with a second molecule of the halide. Thus in the simplest case, that of methyl chloride on benzene, the latter reacts with the toluene that is formed to give a mixture of the xylenes. These can react in their turn to yield trimethyl-benzenes (1, 2, 4 and 1, 3, 5) and if the reaction is prolonged, tetramethyl-benzene(l, 2, 4, 5), then pentamethyl- and finally hexa- methyl-benzene are formed. By stopping the reaction when the calculated amount of acid has been evolved these complications are avoided for the most part. The yield of monosubstituted hydrocarbon is considerably in- creased when an amount of aluminum chloride equal to 15 or 20 % of the weight of the alkyl chloride is used. The use of carbon disulphide as a solvent sometimes facilitates the reaction. 12 Alkyl chlorides, bromides or iodides may be used interchangeably, the latter evolving hydrogen bromide and iodide. 886. In place of using aluminum chloride as above described, the flask may be filled with aluminum turnings (previously cleaned by boiling with alcohol and washing with ether) and a current of dry hydro- 12 ANSCHUTZ, Annakn, 235, 207 (1886). 319 ELIMINATION OF HYDROGEN HALIDES 889 gen chloride passed. 13 Aluminum turnings may be used with mercuric chloride which attacks the metal rapidly forming the chloride 14 In some cases the aluminum chloride is put in the flask first and covered with carbon disulphide and then the mixture of the two sub- stances that are to react is run in. 887. Reversal of the Reaction. The addition of alkyl groups may be limited by the reverse reaction of removing them, and this is also catalyzed by aluminum chloride. When the poly-alkyi benzenes are treated with aluminum chloride and a current of hydrogen chloride, the alkyl side chains are eliminated as alkyl chlorides. 15 From hexamethyl-benzene we may pass to pentamethyl-, to tetramethyl- (1, 3, 4, 6) and (1, 3, 4, 5) to trimethyl- (1, 3, 4) and (1, 3, 5) to meta and para xylenes, then toluene and finally benzene. 18 888. It may happen that side chains are taken off of one molecule and put on another in consequence of splitting off an alkyl halide which then reacts with the other molecule. Thus poly-ethyl-benzenes in presence of benzene and aluminum chlo- ride, retrograde towards ethyl-benzene, particularly in a current of hydrogen chloride which carries off the ethyl chloride. 17 Ethyl-benzene kept in contact with aluminum chloride furnishes simultaneously benzene and diethyl-benzene. Isomerizations may result from an alkyl group being taken off and put on again. From p.xylene we may get m.xylene and inversely; pseudocumene (1, 3, 4 - tri-methyl- benzene) may give mesitylene(l, 3, 5). 18 889. Results Obtained. The reaction goes well with various aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene and its homologs as well as with naphthalene 19 and diphenyl. The homologs of benzene frequently give better results than benzene itself. It was developed first for alkyl mono-chlorides but may go equally well with cyclohexyl monochlorides: cyclohexyl chloride and benzene give phenyl-cyclohexane. 20 13 STOCKHAUSEN and GATTERMANN, Berichte, 25, 3521 (1891). 14 RADZIEWANOWSKI, Berichte, 28, 1135 (1895). 16 JACOBSEN, Berichte, 18, 339 (1885). 16 This reaction has been extensively used for the manufacture of toluene from the xylenes. E. E. R. 17 RADZIEWANOWSKI, Berichte, 27, 3235 (1894). BOEDTKER and HALSE, Bull. Soc. Chim. (4), 19, 444 (1916). 18 ANSCHUTZ and IMMENDORF, Berichte, 17, 2816 (1884), and 18, 657 (1885). 19 It is remarkable that when a solution of naphthalene in benzene is treated with phthalic anhydride in the presence of aluminum chloride, the naphthalene reacts to the exclusion of the benzene. HELLER and SCH#LKE, Berichte, 41, 3627 (1908). E. E. R. 20 KOURSANOF, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 33, 527 (1901); Bull. Soc. Chim. (3), 28, 271 (1902). 890 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 320 It is also applicable to the chlormethyl ethers, R.O.CH 2 C1, which form the ether R.O.CH^R' with an aromatic hydrocarbon, R'H. With benzene the reaction goes regularly in the cold but the yield is only 30%, because benzyl chloride is also formed by a side reaction which liberates the alcohol, R.OH (818) . 21 The reaction applies to derivatives of aromatic hydrocarbons which are chlorinated in a side chain, e.g. benzyl chloride, C 6 H 5 . CH 2 C1. 22 Unsaturated monochlorides or monobromides may be used. Thus vinyl bromide, CH*: CHBr, condenses with benzene to form styrene. 23 890. Dihalogen derivatives may also be used. Ethylene chloride reacts with benzene to form sjTnmetrical diphenyl-ethane 24 and 1, 1- dibrom-ethylene forms 1, 1-diphenyl-ethylene, CH 2 : C (C 6 H 6 ) 2 . 25 Ethylidene chloride, CHs.CHCl 2 , gives similarly 1, 1 -diphenyl- ethane, CHa . CH (CeH5) 2 , but the reaction may be complicated by the formation of ethyl-benzene and dihydro-dimethyl-anthracene. Benzol chloride, CeH^.CHC^, with 5 parts of benzene and a little aluminum chloride, yields triphenyl-methane, 27 which may also be formed from benzene and chloroform, CHCls. 28 II. Synthesis of Ketones 891. The Friedel and Crafts reaction is still more easily applied to the production of ketones, by the reaction of aromatic hydrocarbons with carbonyl chloride, or with the chlorides of aliphatic or aromatic acids. Thus carbonyl chloride and benzene form benzophenone: COC1 2 + 2C 6 H 6 - 2HC1 + C 6 H 5 .CO.C 6 H 5 . Acetyl chloride produces acetophenone from benzene : CH 3 .COC1 + C 6 H 6 = HC1 + C 6 H 5 .CO.CH 3 . 892. For these preparations equal molecules of the hydrocarbon and the acid chloride are mixed and carbon disulphide, ligroine or nitrobenzene is added till a limpid liquid is obtained. Care must be taken to protect from all moisture. This solution is added a little at a time to another flask which contains an equal volume of solvent and 81 SOMMELET, Compt. rend., 157, 1443 (1913). 22 FKIEDEL and CRAFTS, Ann. Chim. Phys. (6), i, 478 (1884). 23 ANSCHtiTZ, Annakn, 235, 231 (1886). 24 SILVA, Compt. rend., 89, 606 (1879). 26 DEMOLE, Berichte, 12, 2245 (1879). 26 GENVERESSE, Bull. Soc. Chim. (2), 49, 579 (1888). 27 LINEBURGER, Amer. Chem. Jour., 13, 270 (1891). 28 FRIEDEL and CRAFTS, Bull Soc. Chim. (2), 37, 6 (1882). E. and O. FISCHER, Annalen, 194, 252 (1878). ALLEN and KOLLIKER, Annalen, 227, 107 (1885). 321 ELIMINATION OF HYDROGEN 893 aluminum chloride equal in weight to the acid chloride. 29 The mix- ture is warmed slowly on the water bath till no more hydrogen chlo- ride is evolved. Nitrobenzene as a solvent has the advantage of dissolving alu- minum chloride. 30 The aluminum chloride may be added a little at a time to the mixture of the hydrocarbon and the acid chloride. 893. Results. Acetyl chloride, CH 3 .COC1, condenses with benzene to form acetophenone, CeHs.CO.CHs, 31 while benzoyl chloride, CeHs.- COC1, gives benzophenone, C 6 H 5 . CO . C 6 H 5 32 which may also be ob- tained by condensing benzene with carbonyl chloride. Benzoyl bromide may be used with benzene and aluminum bromide. 33 Chlor- brom-, or nitro- ring substitution products of the aromatic acid chlorides may be used with the same facility. Thus m.nitroben- zoyl chloride, 02N.CeH4.COCl, reacts with benzene to form m.nitro- benzophenone, O 2 N . CeH4 . CO . CeH 5 , 34 and similar compounds can be obtained from the chlor 35 and brom 36 derivatives. The chlorides of dibasic acids can give a double reaction to form diketones. Thus succinyl chloride and benzene furnish 1, J^-diphenyl- butadione(l,4), Ce^.CO.C^.CE^.CO.CeHs. The reaction is car- ried out in carbon disulphide. 37 Malonyl and glutaryl chlorides react similarly. 38 On account of its tautomeric nature, phthalyl chloride can give different products according to the way the reaction is carried out. Phthalophenone, 39 anthraquinone, diphenyl-anthrone, * C(C 6 H 5 ) 2 C0 C(C 6 H 6 ) 2 / \ C 6 H C 6 H 4 , / V CeH4v ^>0, \CO/ CeH4 \ n / 29 It is better to calculate the amount from its molecular weight and that of the acid chloride; to 1 mol. RCOC1, 1 mol. A1C1 8 - 133.5, is required but 10% excess is of advantage. E. E. R. 30 BEHN, German patent, 95,901 (1897). 31 FEIEDEL and CRAFTS, Ann. Chim. Phys. (6), 14, 455 (1888). 32 FRIEDEL and CRAFTS, Ann. Chim. Phys. (6), i, 510, and 518 (1884). 33 OLIVIER, Rec. Trav. Chim. Pays-Bas, 37, 205 (1918). 34 GEIGT and KONIGS, Berichte, 18, 2401 (1885). 35 OVERTON, Berichte, 26, 29 (1893). HANTZSCH, Berichte, 24, 57 (1891). DEMUTH and DITTRICH, Berichte, 23, 3609 (1890). 36 CATHCART and MEYER, Berichte, 25, 1498 (1892). 87 GLAUS, Berichte, 20, 1375 (1887). 88 AUGER, Ann. Chim. Phys. (6), 22, 349 (1891). 39 FRIEDEL and CRAFTS, Ann. Chim. Phys. (6), i, 523 (1884). BAEYER, Annalen, 202, 51 (1880). 40 HALLER and GUYOT, Bull. Soc. Chim. (3), 17, 873 (1897). 894 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 322 o . benzoyl-benzoic add,* 1 C 6 H 5 . CO . C 6 H 4 . COOH, and other products 42 are obtained. Acid chlorides may react with pyridine or quinoline in the presence of aluminum chloride to give ketones when traces of thionyl chloride are present. From benzoyl chloride and pyridine, pyridyl-phenyl-ketone is obtained: 43 C 6 H 6 .CO.C1 + C 5 H 5 N = HC1 + C 6 H 5 . CO . C 5 H 4 N. 894. Thiophosgene, CSC1 2 , reacts with aromatic hydrocarbons to form thioketones: thus with benzene, thiobenzophenone, CeH 6 .CS.- C 6 H 6 . 44 m. Formation of Amides 895. By the action of carbamic chloride, C1.CO.NH 2 , aromatic amides are formed: thus from benzene, benzamide, C6H 5 .CO.NH 2 is obtained. 46 IV. Formation of Cyclic Compounds 896. Methylene chloride condenses with diphenyl, C 6 H 5 .C6H 5 , to form fluorene, C 6 H 4 v ;cH 2 . C 6 H 4 / 897. Tetrabromethane (1,1,2,2,), or acetylene tetrabromide, reacts with benzene to form anthracene: 47 BrCHBr /CH\ C 6 H 6 + + C 6 H 6 = C 6 H/ )C 6 H 4 + 4HBr. BrCHBr \CH/ Condensation may take place between two or more molecules of a chlor-compound. Thus 2-phenyl-ethyl chloride, CeH 5 . CH 2 . CH 2 C1, re- acts vigorously with aluminum chloride in carbon disulphide or lig- roine to form an insoluble resin (CeH 4 .CH 2 CH 2 )x. Dissolved in 6 parts of ligroine with 1 part of aluminum chloride, 4-phenyl-butyl chloride gives an excellent yield of tetrahydro-naphtha- lene: /CH 2 . CH 2 . CH 2 /CH 2 . CH 2 CeH 4 = C 6 H 4 - + HC1. \H C1CH 2 \CH 2 .CH 2 41 SCHEIBER, Annakn, 389, 121 (1912). 42 COPISAROW, J. Chem. Soc., in, 10 (1917). 48 WOLFFENSTEIN and HARTWICH, Berichte, 48, 2043 (1915). 44 BERGREEN, Berichte, 21, 341 (1888). 46 GATTERMANN, Annalen, 244, 29 (1888). 46 ADAM, Ann. Chim. Phys. (6), 15, 253 (1888). 47 ANTSCHtiTZ, Annalen, 235, 165 (1886). 323 ELIMINATION OF HYDROGEN HALIDES 900 Similarly 5-phenyl-pentyl chloride gives phenyl-cyclopentane boiling at 213 . 48 898. Mechanism of the Reaction. We have shown above how the role of the aluminum chloride in the Friedel and Crafts reaction may be explained (173). The catalytic nature of the action is not doubted though sometimes it is necessary to employ large amounts of the salt, sometimes larger than the amount of the aromatic hydrocarbon. This is the case when the aluminum chloride combines with one of the products of the reaction and is thus withdrawn from its catalytic function. 49 899. Other Catalytic Chlorides. Several anhydrous metallic chlo- rides can be employed in the same way as aluminum chloride in the Friedel and Crafts synthesis : zinc, ferrous, ferric and stannic chlorides and antimony pentachloride. The use of ferric chloride is quite advantageous in preparing ke- tones. 50 Thus benzoyl chloride and benzene give benzophenone. Its action, like that of the other chlorides mentioned above, is milder than that of aluminum chloride. For that reason these chlorides some- times give rise to less formation of byproducts. For the preparation of benzophenone, the following comparative yields have been obtained: 51 With aluminum chloride 70-71 % ferric chloride 60-62 zinc chloride 28-32 Aluminum chloride serves poorly for condensing toluene with chlor- methyl ethers (889), while good results are obtained with antimony pentachloride and particularly with stannic chloride. 62 The use of zinc chloride, or better metallic zinc which immediately forms some of the chloride, has been recommended for reactions with naphthalene. 63 Thus the di-naphthyl ketones are prepared by the action of zinc on a mixture of naphthalene with a- or /3-naphthoyl chlorides. 54 900. A different isomer may be obtained when other chlorides are substituted for the aluminum chloride. Isobutyl chloride condensed 48 VON BRAUN and DEUTSCH, Berichte, 45, 1267 (1912). 49 HELLER and ScntJLKE, Berichte, 41, 3627 (1908). 60 NENCKI, Berichte, 30, 1766 (1897), and 32, 2414 (1899). MEISSEL, Berichte, 32, 2419 (1899). 61 GANGLOFP and HENDERSON, J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 39, 1420 (1917). 62 SOMMELET, Compt. rend., 157, 1443 (1913). 63 ALEXYEF, Meth. de transform, des comb, organ., Paris, 1891, 186. 64 GRUCAREVIC and MERZ, Berichte, 6, 1242 (1877). 901 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 324 with toluene in the presence of ferric chloride gives p.methyl-isobutyl- benzene, while in the presence of aluminum chloride the meta com- pound is obtained. 65 Formation of Aromatic Amines by Hofmann's Reaction 901. Traces of cuprous iodide can readily effect the condensation of primary aromatic amines with phenyl bromide, with elimination of hydrobromic acid. The acetyl derivative of the amine may be used. Thus by boiling 90 g. brombenzene, 10 g. acetanilide, 6 g. sodium carbonate and a little cuprous iodide for 15 hours, acetyl-diphenyl- amine is obtained and this can readily be transformed into diphenyl- amine. The cuprous iodide can be replaced by copper and iodine or even by copper and potassium iodide. 56 The presence of copper powder greatly facilitates the action of ammonia under pressure at 170 on chlor-nitro-benzene to form amino- nitro-benzene. 57 It is also useful in the similar reaction of aniline or its homologs on o.chlor-benzoic and 2,4-chlor-nitro-benzoic acids in the preparation of the corresponding amino compounds. 67 Likewise pyridine heated 7 hours to 250 with benzyl chloride and a little copper powder gives a good yield of 2-benzyl- and 4-benzyl- pyridine. Ethyl iodide and pyridine give the ethyl-pyridines under the same circumstances. The copper can be replaced by cuprous chloride. Aluminum and magnesium powders give poorer results. 68 Condensations in the Aliphatic Series by Anhydrous Chlorides 902. The use of ferric chloride enables us to effect important con- densations in the aliphatic series. Thus with propionyl chloride in the presence of alcohol, two molecules of the acid chloride condense to form the ester of a keto-acid: CH 3 .CH 2 .COC1 + CH 3 .CH 2 .COC1 + C 2 H 6 OH = CH 3 . CH 2 . CO . CH (CH,) . C0 2 C 2 H 5 + 2HC1. 903. Chloroform condenses with pentachlorethane on contact with aluminum chloride with evolution of hydrogen chloride to form heptachlor-propane : 60 CHC1 3 + CC1 3 .CHC1 2 = HC1 + CHC1 2 . CC1 2 . CC1 3 . 66 BIALOBRZESKI, Berichte, 30, 1773 (1897). 66 GOLDBERG, Berichte, 40, 4541 (1907). 67 ULLMANN, Annalen, 355, 312 (1907). 68 CHICHIBABINE and RYUMSHIN, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 47, 1297 (1915). 69 HAMONET, Bull. Soc. Chim. (3), 2, 334 (1899). PRINB, J. prakt. Chem. (2), 89, 414 (1914). 325 ELIMINATION OF HYDROGEN HALIDES 904 3. ELIMINATION OF A MOLECULE OF AN ALKALINE CHLORIDE, BROMIDE, OR IODIDE 904. The action of the aromatic halogen derivatives, phenyl chlo- ride, bromide, and iodide on the alkali salts of phenol should form phenyl ether, but practically the yield is trifling. It becomes very high when the reaction is carried on under pressure at 150 to 200 in the presence of finely divided copper as catalyst. The yield reaches 25 % with the chloride, 82% with the iodide and 78% with the iodide. This process may be applied to the formation of ethers of diphe- nols. 61 81 ULLMANN and SPONAGEL, Annalen, 360, 83 (1907). CHAPTER XXI DECOMPOSITIONS AND CONDENSATIONS OF HYDROCARBONS 905. The action of high temperature on hydrocarbons is to dis- sociate the molecules, from which hydrogen tends to separate, at the same time that it produces a greater or less breaking up of the mole- cules into groups, CH 3 , CH 2 , and CH which are capable of uniting to form new complex molecules. There result complicated mixtures of varied constitution to which Berthelot has given the name of pyro- genetic equilibria which as the temperature rises tend to produce larger and larger proportions of hydrogen and methane along with substances very rich in carbon and very condensed hydrocarbons. 906. The petroleum industry has taken advantage of reactions of this sort in the process known as " cracking. 11 This process, which was accidentally discovered at Newark, N. J., in 1861, consists in carrying petroleum vapors to high temperatures, above a dull red. Along with usable gases, new hydrocarbons are produced which increase the pro- portion either of gasoline or of heavy oils as compared with the original oil. The effect of temperature begins to be felt at about 325 but is not important below a red heat. The presence of catalysts lowers the temperature of these reactions and makes them easier to carry out. The finely divided metals, copper, iron, cobalt, nickel, platinum, mag- nesium, and aluminum can be employed and so may the anhydrous oxides, titania, zinc oxide and alumina, etc. 1 It is important to know the results of the pyrogenetic decomposi- tion of the hydrocarbons in the absence of catalysts. From this point of view, benzene, petroleums and the coal tar hy- drocarbons known as solvent naphtha have been the most studied. 907. Benzene is hardly affected below 500, at which it begins to decompose into diphenyl, the formation of which increases till it reaches a maximum at 750. It is accompanied by diphenyl-benzene : carbon is deposited and hydrogen set free without any production of acetylene or of naphthalene below 800 . 2 1 ZELINSKI, /. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 47, 1808 (1915). 2 ZANETTI and EGLOFF, J. Ind. Eng. Chem., 9, 356 (1917). 326 327 DECOMPOSITIONS OF HYDROCARBONS 910 908. American petroleum, under the action of heat alone, gives in- creasing amounts of gas from 450 to 875, while the density of the liquids produced increases also with the temperature. Between 450 and 600, the products formed contain more toluene than xylene, more xylene than benzene, and neither naphthalene nor anthracene. At 650 the proportion of benzene is still lower than that of toluene but above that of xylene. From 700 to 850, benzene is more abundant than toluene and especially than xylene. The formation of naphthalene begins at 750 and that of anthracene at 800 and both increase rap- idly with the temperature. For 100 parts of petroleum thus treated, the benzene in the prod- uct reaches its maximum of 4.7% at 750 , toluene its maximum of 3.1 % at 650, and xylene its maximum of 1.9% at 700. At 800 we have 2% naphthalene and 0.3% anthracene. These aromatic hydro- carbons are associated with various aliphatic. 3 909. Solvent naphtha contains considerable amounts of higher hydrocarbons. When it is heated in steel tubes under 11 atmospheres pressure to 500-800, it yields considerable amounts of lower hydro- carbons. In the product, benzene reaches its maximum of 42.5 % at 800 and toluene its maximum of 39.9 % at 750. But as the tempera- ture is raised higher and higher the yield of liquid decreases rapidly in consequence of the more abundant production of gaseous products and of materials poor in hydrogen, the real maximum yield based on 100 parts of solvent naphtha is: 4 Benzene 15.9 % at 800 Toluene 20.6 % at 750. Under the action of a red heat, pinene gives a large number of hy- drocarbons, both gaseous and liquid, among which have been found benzene, toluene, m.xylene, naphthalene, anthracene, 6 methyl-anthracene and phenanthrene. 6 By operating at a barely visible red, along with a terpene isomeric with pinene but boiling higher, isoprene, G&H.S, benzene and its homo- logs, and poly-terpenes are formed. 7 Action of Catalysts. 910. The presence of catalysts usually enables us to carry out the same reactions at lower temperatures which is more favorable to the preservation of sensitive products that may be formed. Usually EGLOFF and TWOMEY, J. Phys. Chem., 20, 121 (1916). EGLOFP and MOORE, J. Ind. Eng. Chem., 9, 40 (1917). BERTHELOT, Arm. Chim. Phys. (3), 39, 5 (1853), and (4), 16, 165 (1869). SCHULTZ, Berichte, 10, 114 (1877). TILDEN, Ann. Chim. Phys. (6), 5, 120 (1885). 911 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 328 nickel and iron act violently tending to produce very advanced dehy- drogenation with charring more and more intense as the temperature is raised. 911. Aliphatic Hydrocarbons. Methane is only slightly attacked by nickel up to 360 but towards 390 the deposition of carbon is ap- preciable. 8 The decomposition is not yet rapid at 910 at which methane heated 10 minutes in a porcelain tube, without catalyst, gives only 10% of hydrogen. The presence of silica in the tube does not in- crease the decomposition, but with lime the proportion of hydrogen reaches 35%, with wood charcoal, 69% while with metallic iron it is 78%.' Ethane decomposes slowly above 325 giving carbon, methane and free hydrogen. Pentane decomposes in an analogous way : at 350-400 methane is produced with intermediate hydrocarbons and carbon is deposited on the nickel. Lengthening the carbon chain makes these decompositions more easy; 10 but only above 550 and towards 600 are the liquid hydro- carbons such as are found in Pennsylvania petroleum attacked. 912. Unsaturated Hydrocarbons. If a current of ethylene is passed over reduced nickel heated above 300 the nickel can be seen to swell up into a voluminous black material which finally fills the tube and chokes it up: all the ethylene disappears and a gas is obtained con- taining ethane, methane, and hydrogen. The proportion of ethane is less with higher temperatures of the metal : at a dull red only traces of it are left. In contact with nickel, ethylene is decomposed into carbon and hydrogen, but the latter is taken up immediately by a portion of the ethylene to form ethane which is more and more broken down to methane at higher temperatures. The nickel is found diffused in the carbon that is formed. 11 Propylene suffers an analogous destruction but more slowly and without the voluminous swelling of the metal. The decomposition is appreciable at 210 and is clean at 350. The escaping gas contains propylene, propane, ethylene, ethane, methane and hydrogen. 12 All other unsaturated hydrocarbons give analogous results, e.g. the 8 SABATIBR and SENDERENS, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 4, 435 (1905). 9 SLATER, J. Chem. Soc., 109, 160 (1916). 10 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 4, 435 (1905). 11 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Compt. rend., 124, 616 and 1358 (1897). 12 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Compt. rend., 134, 1128 (1902). 329 DECOMPOSITIONS OF HYDROCARBONS 915 vapors of trimeihyl-eihylene give along with a deposit of carbon, the saturated hydrocarbon with the whole series of lower hydrocarbons. Cobalt acts in a similar manner but less actively than nickel. With ethylene at 360 and even at 425 there is slow carbonization without rapid swelling and much ethylene survives. Iron does not act till above 350 and gives a still slower decompo- sition. Platinum (black or sponge) and reduced copper do not have any appreciable action on propylene or ethylene. 13 913. Acetylene Hydrocarbons. Similar dehydrogenating actions, but less intense, are exercised by the finely divided metals on the aletylene hydrocarbons, especially acetylene. The action can be di- vided into two entirely distinct kinds, which coexist. One of these is easily observed with platinum or iron, the other particularly with cop- per, while nickel superimposes the two effects. 914. First Kind of Reaction. Pure acetylene when heated with platinum to 150, is rapidly decomposed into carbon and hydrogen : the heat evolved by this decomposition heats the metal to incandes- cence which accelerates the destruction giving rise to a great carbon- aceous swelling, and which causes the polymerization of the remaining acetylene into benzene, styrene, and hydrides of naphthalene and anthracene as in the celebrated synthesis of Berthelot. This phe- nomenon was observed by Moissan and Moureu; 14 it is complicated by an important consecutive action, which escaped these chemists but which Sabatier and Senderens have studied. 16 The hydrogen resulting from the decomposition of one portion of the gas can act on another portion, in the presence of platinum, to form ethylene and ethane. The liquid collected is small in amount and is chiefly benzene. This is the composition by volume of the gases evolved : Acetylene 66.2% Benzene (vapor) 2.8 Ethylene 25.4 Ethane 0.6 Hydrogen ' V .''*'.,. . . . . . 5.0 915. A much greater destructive activity belongs to reduced iron (obtained at about 450) which is raised by acetylene from room tem- perature to incandescence. If the tube containing the iron is not heated, the reaction almost stops with the local decomposition due to 13 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 4, 436 (1905). 14 MOISSAN and MOUREU, Compt. rend., 122, 1241 (1896). 16 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Compt. rend., 131, 40, 187 and 267 (1900). 916 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 330 the incandescence, the formation of black voluminous carbon in which the iron is disseminated and of brown liquids, almost entirely aroma- tic. The gases remaining are little but surviving acetylene and hy- drogen saturated with benzene vapor. But if the entire iron tube is kept at above 180, the hydrogenation of the acetylene is carried on by the metal beyond the incandescent portion so that little acetylene is left and the gas is only hydrogen, ethylene and ethane with the vapors of higher hydrocarbons. 916. Second kind of Reaction. This is caused by copper. If a current of acetylene is passed over light copper (obtained by reduction at a low temperature) at 180 the copper is seen to turn brown at once and the pressure diminishes greatly on account of the rapid condensation of the acetylene in contact with the metal. Some- times the current of acetylene which was 20 cc. per minute is entirely taken up for more than 20 minutes and then slowly begins to pass. At this moment the copper is seen to swell rapidly taking on a lighter tint of brown and soon filling the tube so as to stop the flow of gas. The condensed liquid is a mixture of unsaturated and aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, styrene etc.), the presence of the styrene caus- ing partial solidification after a time. 16 The small amount of gas that passes out contains, with a small amount of acetylene, hydrogen, ethane and particularly the unsaturated hydrocarbons, ethylene, propylene and butylene, which constitute more than two thirds of it. The copper is found disseminated in the entire brown solid mate- rial formed. If a small portion of this is placed as a layer in another tube and heated to 180-250 in a current of acetylene, the material swells up, again filling the tube. One can start anew with a portion of this material and fill another tube. After three or four such swell- ings, a material is obtained which is no longer changed when heated in acetylene. This is a lighter or darker brown solid which appears under the microscope to be a thick felt of very fine filaments. It is light and fluffy and may be agglomerated into masses resembling tinder. It is a hydrocarbon of the empyrical formula CyHe in which is found diffused a little copper (about 1.5%) which has caused its formation : this is cuprene. 17 Its composition is identical with that of the condensed hydrocarbon formed by the decomposition of benzyl chloride by metallic chlorides (880) or by the dehydration of benzyl alcohol (714), and is perhaps hexaphenyl-cyclohexane, CeHXCeHs^. 18 16 On account of polymerization of the styrene to a solid. E. E. R. 17 SABATIEB and SENDERENS, Bull. Soc. Chim. (3), 21, 530 (1899). Compt. rend., 130, 250 (1900). SABATIER, 3rd Congress on Acetylene, Paris, 1900, 345 and 4th Cong. Applied Chem., Paris, 1900, 3, 134. 18 SABATIER and MAILHE, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 20, 298 (1918). 331 DECOMPOSITIONS OF HYDROCARBONS 918 The formation of cuprene is doubtless due to the formation of an un- stable acetylide capable of reacting with acetylene to form a new con- densed molecule, thus : nC 2 H 2 + nCu = nC 2 Cu + nH 2 and nC 2 Cu + 6nC 2 H 2 = (C 6 H 7 ) 2n + nCu. cuprene regenerated The regenerated metal is capable of repeating the reaction indefi- nitely. The hydrogen set free combines with a portion of the acety- lene over the copper to give chiefly ethylene hydrocarbons. Compact copper, in sheet or wire, gives a similar formation when heated in acetylene to 200-50 and covers itself with a brown coat- ing which becomes more yellow as its thickness increases. 917. Superposition of the Two Kinds of Reaction. If over a layer of reduced copper heated at its middle portion to above 250 a rapid current of acetylene be passed, incandescence accompanied by intense swelling is observed at this point and there is simultaneous production of carbon and of cuprene formed by the superposition of the two reactions. 918. Reduced nickel usually causes both reactions. If the re- duced nickel is entirely freed from the hydrogen absorbed by its particles, it no longer becomes spontaneously incandescent in acetylene and can be heated to 150 before it causes a reaction. It is only above 180, that a slow reaction takes place, without incandescence, and this reaction remains thus if the passage of the gas is not too rapid. The metal turns black and swells a little, covering itself with a solid brownish fibrous silky hydrocarbon which suggest cuprene; but this formation is slow and if one tries to accelerate it by passing the acely- lene more rapidly or by elevating the temperature, incandescence appears bringing rapid decomposition with charring. Usually when acetylene is passed over a layer of recently reduced, nickel without precautions, there is immediate spontaneous incandes- cence, brought on by the occluded hydrogen, and carbonizing decom- position takes place always followed by the hydrogenation of the acetylene and of a part of the aromatic hydrocarbons resulting from the incandescence because the nickel is capable of effecting such hy- drogenations. Summing up, nickel acting on acetylene at 180 produces a triple effect : 1st. Rapid decomposition into carbon and hydrogen with poly- merization to aromatic hydrocarbons. 2nd. Slow condensation into a solid hydrocarbon doubtless identi- cal with cuprene. 919 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 332 3rd. Hydrogenation of the acetylene and of the aromatic hydro- carbons with production of aliphatic, unsaturated and cyclo-aliphatic hydrocarbons. With a tube that is not externally heated, where the incandescence is intense and localized at a single point, the first effect is the greatest, the velocity of the gas rendering the subsequent hydrogenation unimportant. These are the conditions studied by Moissan and Moureu. 919. With cobalt quite free from nickel and reduced from oxide at below 350, incandescence is not obtained, starting with the tube cold, but is readily started by heating some point on the tube, and is easily maintained if the tube is heated to 200. The action is inter- mediate between that of iron and that of nickel. The tube is filled with a black mass consisting of carbon in which the cobalt is diffused and traces of a hydrocarbon analogous to cuprene can be seen. 19 920. The effects of nickel, iron, cobalt and copper are much less intense when these metals are employed in the form of sheets and have appeared to many observers negligible even up to 600. On the con- trary magnesium powder acting at 600 on methane, ethane, ethylene and acetylene causes a 95% decomposition. Aluminum powder, at near the fusion point of the metal, causes a total decomposition while, platinum decomposes only 80 %. 20 Hexane, under high pressure, is attacked energetically at 650-700 in an iron tube in the presence of alumina. 21 921. Cyclic Hydrocarbons. As has been said above (640), the hydro-cyclic hydrocarbons in contact with finely divided metals form the corresponding aromatic hydrocarbons by loss of hydrogen; but the cyclic hydrocarbons, benzene, its homologs, naphthalene, anthra- cene etc. are themselves attacked, and tend to be resolved into CH2 and CH groups like those furnished by the aliphatic hydrocarbons. Metallic oxides also can catalyze decompositions of this sort. Finely divided nickel, iron and cobalt act energetically above 400 and especially at a dull red heat, on the hydro-cyclic hydrocarbons, among which are the terpenes, and cause, along with dehydrogenations which take place at lower temperatures (640), decompositions more and more serious as the temperature is raised, and accompanied by carbonaceous deposits which increase at the same time. The charring is less intense with copper. The aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene and its homologs, are much 19 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 4, 430 (1905). w KUSNETZOW, Berichte, 40, 2871 (1907). 21 IPATIEP and DOVGELEVICH, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 43, 1431 (1911); C. A., 6, 736 (1912). 333 DECOMPOSITIONS OF HYDROCARBONS 924 less affected by the action of finely divided metals than when they are acted on in the nascent state, that is when they are being formed by the dehydrogenation of cyclohexane or terpene hydrocarbons. 922. The Case of Pinene. The action of heat on pinene when its vapors are passed through a red hot tube has been described above (909). The tube being of iron and sometimes filled with broken pum- ice or porcelain the peculiar influence of the metal or of the filling may enter into the reaction. By passing these vapors over very light finely divided copper (59), in a glass tube heated to 600-30, a rapid evolution of gas of high illuminating power consisting of hydrogen charged with the vapors of lower hydrocarbons, is obtained. By conducting the operation very slowly, 100 cc. of pinene gave 81 cc. of condensate which contained : 13.3 cc. passing over below 95 27.0 cc. passing over from 95 to 150 31.4 cc. passing over from 150 to 185 9.3 cc. passing over above 185. Treatment with sulphuric acid, which dissolves the terpenes and the ethylenic and di-ethylenic hydrocarbons, reduced the volume to 31.5 cc. of hydrocarbons almost entirely nitrifiable and consisting of about 19 cc. cymene and methyl-ethyl-benzene, 10 cc. m. xylene and toluene and a small amount of benzene. In the most volatile portion of the hydrocarbons is found some isoprene, hardly more than 2 cc. The terpenes remaining in the product have no effect on polarized light. 923. Reduced nickel acts more violently than copper at 600 and causes intense carbonization in consequence of its destructive action on ethylenic and di-ethylenic hydrocarbons (912). The gas is richer in hydrogen, the liquids condensed are less and contain a considerable proportion of saturated hydrocarbons resulting from the hydrogenat- ing action of the metal on the unsaturated hydrocarbons and un- attacked by either sulphuric or nitric acid. 22 Reactions carried out in the Presence of Hydrogen 924. The decompositions of the hydrocarbons by the metals cor- respond to an elimination of hydrogen of which a portion is utilized for hydrogenating the fragments. It seemed probable that the pres- ence of hydrogen with the hydrocarbon molecules would stabilize them or would favor the hydrogenation of the fragments resulting from their decomposition. The stabilization is actually realized in the 22 SABATIEK, MAILHE and GAUDION, Compt. rend., 168, 826 (1919). 925 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 334 case of the cyclohexane hydrocarbons which are preserved to a great extent (640), in the case of the aromatic hydrocarbons derived from the terpenes (644). Hydrogenation carried out at temperatures at which the hydrocarbons are broken up would necessarily lead to the hydrogenation of the fragments that would be formed in the absence of the hydrogen. 925. Acetylene. We have seen (423) that the direct hydrogena- tion of acetylene, carried out over cold nickel or at a low temperature, gives ethane accompanied by a certain amount of higher aliphatic hydrocarbons, both gaseous and liquid: the reason for the formation of these by-products being the breaking up of the molecule HC CH, which takes place at near room temperature, thereby liberating the CH groups which are hydrogenated to methane, CH 4 , or to the groups CH 2 and CH 3 , the groups CH 3 , CH 2 and CH being able to unite in various ways to give, in the cold, more or less complex aliphatic hy- drocarbons. By operating continuously for 24 hours with nickel maintained at 200, Sabatier and Senderens condensed about 20 cc. of a clear yellow liquid with a splendid fluorescence and an odor quite similar to that of rectified petroleum. It began to boil at about 45 and half of it passed over below 150, while at 250 there remained a small quantity of very fluorescent orange yellow liquid, certainly containing poly cyclic hydrocarbons. The original liquid had a density of 0.791 at and was slightly attacked by the nitro-sulphuric acid mixture which extracted a small amount of aromatic hydrocarbons. The re- maining oil had a density of 0.753 at and was composed almost entirely of aliphatic hydrocarbons (pentane, hexane, heptane, octane, nonane, decane, undecane etc.) which were associated in the original product with unsaturated hydrocarbons, soluble in slightly diluted sulphuric acid, and with traces of aromatic hydrocarbons. The com- position, odor, density and fluorescence class this liquid with Penn- sylvania petroleums. 926. If through a tube containing reduced nickel and kept be- tween 200 and 300, a rapid current of pure acetylene is passed, with- out hydrogen, a lively incandescence is obtained on account of the decomposition of the acetylene into carbon and hydrogen (918). A portion of the acetylene thus carried to a high temperature condenses to benzene and other aromatic hydrocarbons according to the reaction discovered by Berthelot; another portion breaks up into CH groups which can be hydrogenated along with the aromatic hydrocarbons by the portion of the nickel layer which remains at 200-300. In the receiver is collected a considerable amount of liquid, greenish by re- flected light, reddish by transmitted, the appearance of which greatly 335 DECOMPOSITIONS OF HYDROCARBONS 930 resembles crude petroleum. If this liquid is hydrogenated directly over nickel at 200 a colorless liquid is obtained which is only slightly attacked by the nitro-sulphuric acid reagent and which, on fractiona- tion, gives a whole series of liquids of densities similar to those of the corresponding fraction of Caucasian petroleum. The chief constituents, as in the petroleum fractions, are the polymethylene hydrocarbons resulting from the hydrogenation of the aromatic hydrocarbons formed by the incandescence. As in the Caucasian petroleum there are cer- tain amounts of aliphatic hydrocarbons resulting from the hydrogena- tion of the CH groups which are set free and then reunited in various fashions. 927. By causing incandescence in mixtures of acetylene and hy- drogen, the proportion of the aliphatic hydrocarbons is increased and the poly-methylenes diminished and intermediate petroleums are obtained. If the hydrogenation following the incandescence takes place at about 300, the cyclohexane hydrocarbons are formed only incom- pletely and are accompanied by certain proportions of untransformed aromatic hydrocarbons : we have Galician petroleum. 928. Analogous reaction can be effected by finely divided cobalt and to a certain extent by iron. Sabatier and Senderens, who found out the above facts, have based on them a simple theory of the gene- sis of natural petroleum. There are doubtless far down in the earth's crust large masses of alkaline and alkaline earth metals as well as of the carbides of these metals. Water penetrating through fissures in the rocks and coming in contact with these materials will evolve hydro- gen and acetylene, in proportions which will doubtless vary greatly. If the hydrogen is in large excess, the gaseous mixture, coming in contact with nickel, cobalt or iron disseminated in adjacent rocks at temperatures which may be lower than 200, gives rise to American petroleum and at the same time to large quantities of combustible gases in whch are found, as in the natural gas of the Pittsburgh dis- trict, much methane, ethane and free hydrogen. 23 Use of Anhydrous Aluminum Chloride 929. Anhydrous aluminum chloride heated with aliphatic hydro- carbons, tends to decompose them into lower and higher hydrocarbons. Amylene gives methane at the same time as hexane and still more con- densed hydrocarbons. 24 930. More important and more regular effects are observed with 23 SABATIER and SENDERENS, Ann. Chim. Phys. (8), 4, 445 (1905). SABATIER, Rev. Mois, i, 257 (1906). 14 ASCHAN, Annalen, 324, 1 (1902). 931 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHMEISTRY 336 aromatic hydrocarbons, as has been stated above (887), tending to their degradation and building up at the same time. Ethyl-benzene heated with aluminum chloride is degraded to benzene, while diethyl-benzene is formed to compensate (888). A xykne (in which the meta predominated) boiled for 5 minutes with 2 % anhydrous aluminum chloride in an apparatus with a me- chanical stirrer gave 29% of hydrocarbons boiling below 135. Pro- longed boiling raised the yield only to 34 %, nor does increasing the amount of the chloride increase it sensibly. Benzene is formed chiefly with a little toluene. The proportion of toluene is no better when the operation is carried on under 18 atmospheres pressure. 25 Cymene heated with a third of its weight of aluminum chloride gives a mixture which contains : 2 % benzene, 42 % toluene, and 7 % xylene (chiefly meta) with a little di-isopropyl-benzene and methyl-di- isopropyl-benzene, increasing the amount of the catalyst increases the amount of the benzene and decreases the toluene. 26 931. Naphthalene heated in an autoclave at 330 under 10 atmos- pheres pressure, for 20 minutes with 4 % anhydrous aluminum chloride gives, along with a carbonaceous and tarry material, 32 % of a liquid hydrocarbon of which about half is dihydro-naphthalene resulting from the hydrogenation of one part of the naphthalene at the expense of another. 27 Under the action of anhydrous aluminum chloride, pinene gives pentane and its homologs as well as cyclohexene hydrocarbons. 28 Application to the Treatment of Petroleums 932. The use of catalysts enables us to improve greatly the opera- tion of cracking (906) for the purpose of increasing the volatile portion of petroleum, since it lowers greatly the temperature at which the reaction takes place thus permitting the survival of molecules result- ing from the decomposition which would otherwise be attacked at the higher temperatures. If over finely divided metals, such as powdered iron or reduced copper, maintained at a temperature between 400 and a dull red, the vapors of a crude petroleum (from any source) or of petroleum pre- viously stripped of its gasoline, there is partial decomposition into a mixture of hydrogen and gaseous hydrocarbons and liquids of which a considerable proportion distils below 150 and may be separated. 26 F. FISCHER and NIGGEMANN, Berichte, 49, 1475 (1916). 26 SCHORGER, /. Amer. Chem. Soc., 39, 2671 (1917). 27 F. FISCHER, Berichte, 49, 252 (1916). 28 STEINKOPP and FREUND, Berichte, 47, 411 (1914). 337 DECOMPOSITIONS OF HYDROCARBONS 933 When the residue is again submitted to the action of finely divided metals, a new amount of volatile liquids is formed, and so on. The gases evolved are quite abundant and are composed of satu- rated and unsaturated hydrocarbons having high calorific and illum- inating power. Iron has the inconvenience that it causes an abundant deposit of carbon on its surface. Copper causes much less of this but requires a higher temperature, near to 600; temperatures below 550 give poor results while above 800 there is intense carbonization with diminu- tion of the yield of gasoline. Thus starting with an American petroleum containing nothing boiling below 150, by a single passage over copper at 600, 1 1. gave 225 cc. gasoline boiling below 150. At the same time 120 1. of gas was evolved with high illuminating power and having a heating power of 15,000 calories per cu. m. After some time the copper becomes too much fouled with carbon- aceous materials and does not have sufficient activity. In order to regenerate it all that is necessary is to pass over it a current of steam which causes the carbon to disappear without altering the metal while producing water gas which may be used for heating the apparatus. The liquids thus obtained are composed in part of saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons and in part of hydrocarbons containing one or two double bonds. These are oxidisable and polymerizable and have a disagreeable odor. In the experiment cited above their proportion was 40%. In order to transform them into saturated compounds without disagreeable odors it is sufficient to hydrogenate their vapors in the presence of finely divided metals (particularly reduced nickel) between 150 and 300. A hydrocarbon is thus obtained that may be used as gasoline. Furthermore, the two phases of the process can be com- bined so as to transform continously a crude petroleum or petroleum residue into gasoline, of which as high as 75% may be obtained. 29 933. Numerous patents have been taken out for processes of this sort. One proposes to use finely divided metals at 600 under 6 at- mospheres pressure. 30 In another patent, the gas issuing from the catalytic cracking is charged with ammonia and thus modified is used to carry along the vapors of the hydrocarbon over metal oxides which can be reduced to the metal. The nascent hydrogen set free by the decomposition of the ammonia by the metal, saturates the hydrocarbons and diminishes the 29 SABATIER, French patent, 400,141, May, 1909. HALL, English patent, 17,121, of 1913; /. S. C. /., 33, 1149 (1914). 934 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 338 amount of the carbonaceous deposits. By this process gasoline free from sulphur is obtained even from Mexican petroleum containing 5 % of sulphur. 31 934. Catalytic oxides (titania, alumina, and zinc oxide) can also be utilized for such transformations, particularly for changing Russian cyclohexane petroleums into aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene and homologs). A benzine from Baku (98 to 102) gave 30% of aro- matic hydrocarbons of which over half was toluene. The use of iron retorts is to be avoided on account of the intense carbonization which this metal causes and the rapid deterioration which results therefrom. 32 935. Aluminum chloride enables us to carry out analogous re- actions at much lower temperatures (929). Petroleum freed from water and gasoline is heated 24 to 48 hours with dry aluminum chloride. The products obtained are almost en- tirely saturated and it is unnecessary to treat them with sulphuric acid, washing with soda and then with water being sufficient to get rid of the hydrogen sulphide. The aluminum chloride is regenerated by submitting the residual coke to a current of chlorine at a red heat. The yield of gasoline from Oklahoma petroleum, which gives only 12.5% by the ordinary cracking process, is raised to 34.8% by this method. 33 936. Iron chlorides, although less active, may be substituted for the aluminum chloride, and with Russian oils, very poor in gasoline, a certain amount of hydrocarbons passing over from 40 to 140 is obtained. Of this about 35 % is hexane and heptane while the rest is chiefly 7 and 8 carbon cyclic hydrocarbons. Heavy hydrocarbons the consistence of which resembles asphalt, are produced at the same time. 34 81 VALPY and LUCAS, English patent 20,470 of 1913 and 2,838 of 1914; J. Soc. Chem. Ind., 34, 71 (1915). 82 ZELINSKI, J. Russian Phys. Chem. Soc., 47, 1807 (1915). 33 McAFEB, /. Ind. Eng. Chem., 7, 737 (1915). 84 PICTET and LERCZYNSKA, Bull. Soc. Chim. (4), 19 (1916). SUPPLEMENT TO CHAPTERS XI AND XII HYDROGENATION OF LIQUID FATS 937. The liquid fats, oils of various origins, contain along with the neutral glycerine esters of the saturated acids, (C n H 2n O 2 ,) palmitic, margaric, stearic, arachidic etc., a considerable proportion of the glycerine esters of the unsaturated acids, either ethylenic acids, (C n H2n_202,) hypogalc, olew, elaldic, erucic etc., or diethylenic, (CH 2n _4O2,) as linoleic, or unsaturated hydroxy as ridnoleic, or still more unsaturated acids as linolenic, CigHaoO-j and clupadonic, CisH^Ojj. The unsaturated acids and their glycerine esters have much lower melting points than the corresponding saturated compounds, thus : Stearic acid, CisHseOu ..... melts at 71 Oleic acid, CisH^C^ ..... melts at 14 Ricinole'ic acid, Ci 8 H 3 4O 3 ..... melts at 26 Linoleic acid, Ci8H 32 O 2 ..... melts below -18. Stearine, or glycerine tristearate, melts at 71.5 while olelne, or glycerine trioleate, is liquid at the ordinary temperature. In some cases these unsaturated compounds have disagreeable odors. The presence of clupadonic acid is responsible for the repulsive odor of fish oils. 938. The absorption of iodine by fats gives an exact measure of the amounts of unsaturated acids that enter into their constitution. By the term iodine number we mean the amount of iodine ab- sorbed by 100 parts of the fat. 1 The following table gives the average value of the iodine number for a number of different fats: Cocoa butter ..... ..,..*.. 36 Mutton or beef tallow .... % . ... 35 to 47 Hog lard ... ..... ,..".... 44 to 70 Goose fat ........... . . v . 77 Olive oil ...... .../'.* . . V ..^ . 82 Colza oil. . . . ... , ,. v ... . ';.>- ;. 100 1 HtteL, Dingler's Polytech. /., 253, 281 (1884). 339 939 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 340 Almond oil 98 Castor oil 84 Peanut oil 97 Cottonseed oil . 109 Sesame oil 108 Poppy seed oil 133 to 158 Whale oil 127 Cod liver oil 140 to 180 Linseed oil 180 Clupadonic acid 365 to 370. 939. By adding hydrogen and thereby transforming unsaturated glycerides into saturated, the bad odors of certain oils (fish and co- coanut) disappear and the melting points are greatly raised. When applied to the oils themselves, hydrogenation changes them into solid fats, i.e. more and more solid the more the ole'ine is trans- formed into stearine. Sabatier and Senderens showed between 1897 and 1902 that hy- drogen is easily added to ethylene bonds in the presence of reduced nickel at temperatures below 250 and it was desired to apply this method to the hydrogenation of the liquid fatty acids or to the oils themselves. It is possible by dragging the vapors of oleic acid by a violent current of hydrogen over nickel at 280 to transform it com- pletely into stearic add. A column of reduced copper can effect the same reaction at 300 and in this case the hydrogen may be replaced by water gas. 2 In the patents of Bedford, 3 the fatty material vaporized in hydro- gen under reduced pressure is hydrogenated while traversing a vertical cylinder filled with nickeled pumice heated to 200, but the lowering of the pressure of the gas is unfavorable to its fixation. 940. The difficulty of volatilizing the liquid fatty acids and the practical impossibility of volatilizing the oils themselves led to the abandonment of the reaction on the vapors and to attempts to effect it in the liquid material. The patent of Norman of 1903 compre- hended hydrogenation of the vapor and of the liquid. 4 It is to hydrogenation in the liquid medium that almost all of the very numerous patents applying to this important industrial problem relate : more than 200 have been taken out on the choice, preparation and method of using catalysts or for apparatus. 2 SABATIER, French patent, 394,957 (1907). 1 BEDFORD and WILLIAMS, English patent, 9,112 of 1908. BEDFORD, U. S. patent, 949,954 (1910). 4 NORMAN, English patent, 1,515 of 1903. 341 HYDROGEN OF LIQUID FATS 943 941. Catalysts. Nickel is most frequently employed being used alone in the finely divided state as is obtained by the reduction of the oxide with hydrogen, or more commonly incorporated with an inert material intended to disseminate it and to increase the useful surface of contact with the hydrogen and oil. For this purpose have been used nickeled pumice, 6 kieselguhr, or infusorial earth, impregnated with nickel 6 , nickeled asbestos 7 , and wood charcoal impregnated with nickel. 8 The method of incorporating the nickel with the carrier may vary : for example, the nickel is dissolved in sulphuric acid and double its weight of siliceous material is added (pumice, kaolin, asbestos etc.) ; the metal is precipitated as the carbonate which is calcined to form the oxide which is thus distributed over every fragment of the porous material, and the oxide is reduced by hydrogen at 350. 9 942. It has been suggested to use the finely divided nickel formed in the decomposition of nickel carbonyl by heat. Finely di- vided nickel is kept suspended in oil at above 180 and a current of carbon monoxide or of water gas is passed through. This transforms the metal into nickel carbonyl which immediately breaks down into carbon dioxide, carbon and finely divided nickel which remains sus- pended in the liquid and is ready to realize its hydrogenation at a somewhat higher temperature, around 220-40. 10 Practically the nickel thus formed may be only 0.1 % of the oil to be hydrogenated. It has been proposed to impregnate pumice or kieselguhr with nickel carbonyl and then heat it to liberate the metal which should be perfectly spread over the porous material : the catalyst thus prepared is incorporated in the oil to be treated without coming in contact with the air. 11 943. The substitution of nickel oxides for metallic nickel has put over against existing patents, other patents which could not be of value if the oxide does not act until after it has been reduced to the metal, as various investigations seem to have established (598). 6 NORMAN, English patent, 1,515 of 1903. BEDFORD and WILLIAMS, English patent, 9,142 of 1908. ERDMANN, German patents, 211,669, C., 1910 (1),1906, and 222,890 (1907), C. A., 4, 2715 (1910). 6 KAYSER, U. S. patents, 1,004,035 and 1,008,474 (1911), /. 8. C. I., 30, 1266 and 1461 (1911). WILBUSCHEWITCH, French patent, 426,343 (1910), /. S. C. I., 30, 966 (1911). CROSSFIELD and MARKEL, French patent, 435,249 (1911), J. S. C.7., 3, 346 (1912). 7 SCHWOERER, German patent, 199,909 (1906)). s ELLIS, U. S. patent, 1,060,673, (1913), C. A., 7, 2132 (1913). ITTNER, Mat. grasses. 1918, 4964.' 9 WILBUSCHEWITCH, English patent, 15,439 of 1911, J. S. C. I., 30, 1170 (1911) 10 SHUKOFF, German patent, 241,823 (1910), C., 1912 (1), 175. 11 SCHICHT, Mat. grasses, 1916, 4634. 944 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 342 This substitution, inspired by the work of Ipatief (584), has been advised by Bedford and Erdman, who believe that the most active catalyst is a sub-oxide such as N2O, 12 and has been frequently applied to the hydrogenation of oils. 13 14 944. Various salts of nickel have been proposed to replace the oxide as catalyst. Nickel borate recommended by Schonfeld 15 as being very active, has been found by other chemists absolutely useless unless broken down to the oxide by a temperature of above 260, the presence of the boric acid appearing to be unfavorable. 16 The nickel salts of organic acids, acetate, lactate, and especially the formate have shown themselves useful. 17 The product produced by heating nickel formate in a current of nitrogen has been advised. 18 945. The other common metals near to nickel, iron, cobalt and copper have been rarely used although they figure along with nickel in a large number of patents. 19 The same is true of platinum on account of its high price which is not compensated for by any special activity. 946. Palladium on the contrary, has been recommended as a cata- lyst for oils in spite of its high cost because of its remarkable activity, 1 part of metal effecting the hydrogenation of 10,000 20 parts of oil be- low 100. It is advantageously employed at about 80 under 2 or 4 atmospheres of hydrogen. 21 It is best to use the palladium precipi- tated on an inert carrier, either animal charcoal or a metallic oxide or 12 BEDFORD and ERDMANN, /. prakt. Chem. (2), 87, 425 (1913). 13 BEDFORD and WILLIAMS, French patents, 418,355 (1910); 436,295 (1911); J. S. C. I., 31, 444 (1912). English patent, 29,612 of 1910, J. S. C. I., 31, 398 (1912). U. S. patent, 1,026,339 (1912), J. S. C. /., 31, 593 (1912). BEDFORD and ERDMANN, French patent, 451,155 (1912), J. S. C. L, 32, 602 (1913). 14 The exact comparative experiments of WILLSTATTER and WALDSCHMIDT- LEITZ (Berichte, 54, 131, (1921)) go far towards proving that nickel is entirely in- active unless it contains some oxygen. Using 0.2 g. nickel in 20 cc. water with 1 g. sodium cinnamate, no hydrogen was taken up in 1 hour at 60 but the catalyst was activated by shaking with oxygen for 15 minutes. A number of similar experiments are cited. A quantitative experiment showed that the amount of oxygen absorbed by a sample of nickel, exposed to the air, was not weighable yet the nickel was activated by this exposure. E. E. R. 15 SCHONFELD, Zeit. }. angew. Chem., 27 (2), 601 (1914), C. A., 8, 3868 (1914). 16 ERDMANN and RACK, Zeit. f. angew. Chem., 28, 220 (1915), C. A., 9, 1255 (1915). 17 WIMMER and HIGGINS, French patent, 441,097 (1912), J. S. C. /., 31, 826 (1912). 18 HIGGINS, Mat. grasses, 1917, 4760. 19 NORMAN, English patent, 1,515 of 1903, J. S. C. I., 23, 26 (1904). WIL- BUSCHEWITCH, French patent, 426,343 (1910), /. S. C. I., 30, 966 (1911). 20 Hydrogenation of cottonseed oil may be carried on at 180 with this propor- tion of nickel on a carrier. E. E. R. 21 DAY, U. S. patent, 826,089 (1906), /. S. C. I., 25, 1035 (1906). 343 HYDROGEN OF LIQUID FATS 949 carbonate or magnesium or nickel, the use for this purpose of iron, lead, zinc or aluminum being unfavorable. 22 The chief disadvantage in the use of palladium is its excessive cost since some loss of metal is inevitable, the cost according to experience amounting to 1.60 francs per 100 kg. oil treated. 947. Life of Catalysts. Certain substances when found in even small amounts in the oils, paralyze the activity of catalysts and do not take long to render them inactive (112). The most to be feared in the hydrogenation of oils are sulphur compounds. Hydrogen sulphide immediately renders inactive 100 times its weight of nickel and pulverized sulphur is half as effective. The action is less rapid with the same proportion of sodium sulphide. On the contrary, sulphates, sodium nitrate, and nickel chloride have no harm- ful effect. Free chlorine kills the nickel instantly. 23 24 In contact with fish oil and whale oil the catalyst is quickly killed; the toxic material is fixed by the metal since if a fresh cata- lyst is added hydrogenation takes place. Consequently a practical method of purification of these oils is to agitate them with a spent catalyst which abstracts the harmful substances. 948. Oils frequently contain free fatty acids which attack the nickel to the detriment of its catalytic activity. Hence it is best to neutralize them by agitation with pulverized calcium carbonate or with a small amount of dilute cold sodium carbonate solution. The neutral oil thus obtained may be effectively freed from its toxic materials by agitating it hot with freshly precipitated cupric hydroxide. 25 949. The presence of moisture in the oil or in the hydrogen can lead to a certain amount of saponification at the elevated tempera- ture at which the reaction is carried out, hence it is important to avoid the presence of water and to dry the gas before using it, e.g., by refrigeration to -20 . 26 22 VEREINIGTE CHEM. WERKE, German patent, 236,488 (1910), C. A., 5, 3633 (1911). French patents, 427,729 and 434,927 (1911), /. S. C. I., 30, 1022 and 31,346 (1912). English patent, 18,642 of 1911, C. A., 7, 555 (1913). 23 MOORE, RICHTER, and ARSDEL, J. Ind. Eng. Chem., 9, 451 (1917). 24 It is suggested by WILLSTATTER and WALDSCHMIDT-LEITZ (Berichte, 54, 127. (1921), that the poisoning of catalysts, by certain substances, at least, may be due to the fact that they deprive the catalysts of their oxygen content and thereby render them inactive. They show that thiophene removes the oxygen from plat- inum black. In an experiment in which 1.9 g. benzene was being hydrogenated in acetic acid solution by means of 0.5 g. platinum black, 1.5 mg. thiophene was added whereby the activity of the catalyst was completely destroyed. The cata- lyst recovered 87 % of its original activity by treatment with oxygen for 2 hours. E. E. R. 26 ELLIS and WELLS, Mat. grasses, 1917, 4760. 26 Soc. DE STEARIN. ET SAVON. DE LYON, French patent, 485,414 (1917). 950 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 344 950. Nickel catalysts that have been rendered inactive by long use are regenerated by degreasing and treating with nitric acid and calcining the nitrated material thus obtained. 951. Amount of Catalyst. The weight of catalyst can vary much according to the work it has to accomplish. The rapidity of the re- action is nearly proportional to the amount of catalyst used. It is usually best not to cut down the amount of the catalyst since it is convenient to shorten the time of the hydrogenation as much as pos- sible. Usually 2 or 3 % of nickel distributed on an inert material is employed. With palladium the amount of catalyst may be much smaller. 27 952. Temperatures. The temperatures most frequently employed for hydrogenations with nickel are around 180 but may sometimes be as low as 150 and are frequently raised to 200-50 especially when the oxide is used. Much lower temperatures suffice with palladium, usually 80 to 100. Elevation of temperature increases the speed of the reaction greatly. In the neighborhood of 170-80 with nickel, raising the tem- perature 10 increases the velocity about 20 %. 28 953. Hydrogen. The hydrogen for hydrogenations may be prepared electrolytically or may be produced as a by-product in the manufacture of caustic soda. It can also be obtained by the action of steam on incandescent coke, the water gas thus formed, after absorption of the carbon di- oxide, being partially liquefied to eliminate the carbon monoxide. But it is more frequently prepared by the decomposition of water by me- tallic iron, the iron oxide so formed being reduced at a red heat by water gas. This decomposition can take place at a red heat alternating with the reduction of the iron oxide which is thus formed; but under these conditions it is difficult to avoid the presence of a certain amount of carbon monoxide which it is important not to admit in appreciable amount. Amounts of 0.25 to 2% of carbon monoxide produce a serious diminution in the activity of the catalyst; 6 or 8% prevent any hy- drogenation by the nickel either by forming a deposit of carbon which covers the catalyst (614), or because the carbon monoxide turns the catalytic activity of the nickel to its own use in transforming itself 27 Good results on cottonseed oil may be obtained with 0.1 % of nickel dis- tributed on 10 parts of carrier. E. E. R. 28 MOORE, RICHTER and VAN ARSDEL, J. Ind. Eng. Chem., 9, 451 (1917). Mat. grasses, 1918, 5018. 345 HYDROGEN OF LIQUID FATS 956 to methane. 29 This toxicity of carbon monoxide is all the more pe- culiar since nickel carbonyl has no harmful effect when it is sent into the oil with the hydrogen, even in large amount, and since the nickel resulting from its decomposition is, up to a certain limit, superior to reduced nickel. 30 The result is that water gas containing about equal volumes of hy- drogen and carbon monoxide with a little carbon dioxide and nitrogen, which can give good results with copper as a catalyst (515), is pro- scribed in the hydrogenation of oils over nickel. 954. According to Bergius, the formation of hydrogen by water and iron can be very advantageously carried out by operating with water kept in the liquid form by high pressures. By working under 300 atmospheres at 300-40, the reaction : 3Fe + 4H 2 O = 4H 2 + Fe 3 O 4 . takes place completely and can be greatly accelerated by the presence of sodium chloride or ferrous chloride along with metallic copper. Under exactly the same experimental conditions, the amounts of hy- drogen evolved per hour were : Iron and water alone at 300 230 cc. Iron, water and FeCl 2 at 300 1390 Iron, water, FeCl 2 and Cu at 300 1930 Iron, water, FeCl 2 and Cu at 340 3450 An apparatus holding 45 1. can produce 102 cu. m. per day. The iron oxide obtained is in fine powder and easy to reduce to metallic iron by water gas. The hydrogen thus prepared is very pure since the iron carbides and sulphides which are in the iron are not attacked by liquid water. The hydrogen evolved under a pressure of 300 atmospheres can be stored in steel cylinders without further compression. 31 955. The volume of hydrogen required for hydrogenation varies with the proportion and nature of the unsaturated acids which enter into the composition of the oils. For pure olelc acid about 79 cu. m. per 100 k. of acid are required while linolew acid requires twice and clupadonic add four times this amount. 29 MAXTED, Trans. Faraday Soc., 13, 36 (1918). 30 MAXTED, Trans. Faraday Soc., 13, 201 (1918). 31 BERGIUS, J. Soc. Chem. Ind., 32, 463 (1913). German patents, 254,593 and 286,961. 956 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 346 The corresponding glycerides require somewhat less, about 76 cu. m. for oleine. The amount required by an oil is proportional to its iodine number; linseed oil requires 150 cu. m. per 1000 k. 32 956. Pressure. It is advantageous to operate under pressures higher than atmospheric, the velocity of the hydrogenation being, at least up to a certain limit, proportional to the pressure of the hydro- gen. In practice, pressures of 2 to 15 atmospheres are used. 957. Apparatus. A large number of forms of apparatus, many of which differ only in details, have been devised for the hydrogenation of oils. Contrary to the general impression, it is not necessary to agitate the oil and the catalyst very violently with the hydrogen; the agitation should especially have the effect of replacing hydrogenated portions of the oil in contact with the catalyst by portions not yet acted on. The various forms of apparatus may be divided into four distinct types : 958. First Type. The oil and hydrogen are simultaneously pro- jected on to a catalytic surface. This is the principle of the apparatus of Erdmann which is com- posed of a vertical nickel cylinder in the centre of which a vertical concentric terra cotta cylinder covered with a layer of catalyst with a nickel base, turns slowly; the apparatus is heated to 180 and the oil driven by compressed hydrogen is projected onto the surface of the cylinder and runs down after it is acted upon. 33 959. In the apparatus of Schwoerer designed to hydrogenate oleic acid, the acid carried along by steam superheated to 250-70 and mixed with hydrogen is projected on to a helicoidal surface covered with nickeled asbestos. 34 960. The apparatus of Schlinck belongs in this class; it is com- posed of a centrifuge which turns on a vertical axis in a closed cylinder at the top of which oil and compressed hydrogen are introduced to- gether. The basket of the centrifuge is furnished with asbestos im- pregnated with catalyst (specially palladium). The oil on account of the rapid rotation, the hydrogen on account of its pressure traverse 32 The volume of hydrogen required to saturate any oil is readily calculated from its iodine number. Thus 1 K of oil whose iodine number is 1, requires 882.0 cc., or 1000 K requires 0.8820 cu.m., of hydrogen measured at C. and 760 mm. Hence multiply these figures by the iodine number of the oil in ques- tion. 1 K cottonseed oil with iodine number 110 would take 97.02 1. to saturate it completely or 35.28 1. of hydrogen to bring it down to an iodine number of 70. E. E. R. 88 ERDMANN, German patent, 211,669 (1907), C. A., 3, 2732. M SCHWOERER, German patent, 199,909 (1906). 347 HYDROGEN OF LIQUID FATS 962 this layer simultaneously and partially combine. The partially hydro- genated oil runs out at the bottom; the partially expanded hydrogen passes out at the side of the top of the cylinder and is recompressed to be sent into another cylinder along with the partially treated oil. After passing through a sufficient number of cylinders exactly alike the oil is completely hydrogenated. 35 961. Second Type. The oil mixed with the catalyst is atomized in an atmosphere of hydrogen which is kept at a suitable tempera- ture by steam heat. The apparatus of Wilbuschewitch which seems to have given good results belongs here. It is composed of an autoclave in the form of an elongated vertical cylinder the lower end of which terminates in a 60 cone which is kept at 160. The oil to which the pulverulent catalyst has previously been added and which is kept mixed by a suitable rotating apparatus, is atomized at the top of the cylinder where the falling droplets encounter an ascending current of hydrogen. This enters at the lower tip of the cone through a circular chamber the top of which is perforated with holes, passes through the oil which has accumlated in the cone, then up the cylinder where it encounters the droplets of oil with the catalyst and passes out at the top of the cylin- der to be used again. The partially hydrogenated oil which accumu- lates in the cone is sent with the catalyst which it carries into a second autoclave like the first where the hydrogenation is carried further and so on into other cylinders till the desired hydrogenation is obtained. 36 962. Third Type. The hydrogen is atomized into oil holding the catalyst in suspension and heated to a known temperature. This is the principle of one form of apparatus of Ellis, which con- sists of a conical heating vessel with vertical axis having its apex at the bottom and heated by circulation of high pressure steam in a double jacket. It is filled with oil for two thirds of its height. The catalyst is added through a hole in the top and the hydrogen admitted at the desired pressure is circulated by means of a pump, being drawn from the top and forced in at the bottom of the cone rising through the oil which it agitates and which it hydrogenates thanks to the cata- lyst which is suspended in it. The passage of the gas is continued till the desired degree of hydrogenation is attained. At this moment a horizontal circular filtering disc which is operated by a rod which oc- cupies the axis of the cone, is lowered till it rests on the walls of the cone near the apex. The oil is filtered through this disc leaving the 86 SCHLINCK, German patent, 252,320 (1911), C. A., 7, 910 (1913). English patent, 8,147 of 1911, C. A., 6, 2858 (1912). 36 WILBUSCHEWITCH, French patent, 426,343 (1910), /. S. C. I., 30, 966 (1911). English patent, 30,014 of 1910, J. S. C. I., 31, 443 (1912). \ n 963 CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 348 catalyst. The apparatus can be charged with a fresh portion of oil which takes up the same catalyst. 87 963. Fourth Type. A vigorous agitation brings the oil, catalyst and hydrogen together in the same vessel. Kayser's apparatus consists of an autoclave heated to 150-60 and filled one fourth full of oil mixed with a pulverulent nickel catalyst under hydrogen introduced at the desired pressure. An agitator con- sisting of six vanes of metal cloth mounted on a metal frame perpen- dicular to a horizontal axis, can revolve rapidly and thus cause an intimate mixture of gas, oil and solid catalyst. 38 964. The apparatus of Kimura is very similar. 39 In the apparatus of Woltmann the agitator rotates on a horizontal axis and carries perforated arms through which the hydrogen is sent in under pressure corresponding to the rate of its fixation by the oil. 40 965. Results. The hydrogenation of oil is carried on in quite a large number of plants, more than 24 in 1916. It enables us to obtain from oils of very inferior quality, such as whale oil, fatty materials with odors that are not disagreeable, pos- sessing a remarkable consistence along with high melting points. A regulated hydrogenation enables us to prepare at will products inter- mediate between the oils and the solid fats. The fixation of 1 % by weight of hydrogen is sufficient to transform cottonseed oil and other oils of that class into substances with the consistency of lard. This result may be attained directly by means of hydrogenation of the whole mass of the oil and stopped at the desired hardness, the operation being carried on at as low a temperature as possible so as not to alter the qualities of the oil. But the desired end can be more surely attained by hydrogenating a portion of the oil to the limit and then mixing this with untreated oil to obtain the de- sired hardness. 966. The table below gives the melting points of the fats obtained by complete hydrogenation of the oils or fats. 41 * 7 ELLIS, J. Soc. Chem. Ind., 31, 1155 (1912). " KATSER, U. S. patents, 1,004,035 and 1,008,474 (1911), /. S. C. I., 30, 1266 and 1461 (1911). 39 KIMURA, French patent, 486,621 (1918). 40 WOLTMAN, English patent, 112,293 (1916), C. A., 12, 1006 (1918). 41 MANNICH and THIELE, Mat. grasses, 1917, 4676. 349 HYDROGEN OF LIQUID FATS 96$ Melting points Hydrogenated oil Original Olive oil 70 6 Almond oil 72 -10 Peanut oil . 64.5 - 3 Sesame oil 63.5 -5 Poppy seed oil 70.5 -18 Linseed oil 68 -16 Codliver oil 68 -10 Cocoa butter 64 23 Tallow 62 35 Lard oil 64 28 The iodine number becomes very small in every case. 967. The commercial grades do not correspond to such complete hydrogenation. They exhale a peculiar, very persistent aromatic odor which resists saponification and distillation under reduced pressure. Such hardened oils are known under the French trade names of duratol, talgol, candelite and synthetic tallow. Below are given some of the characteristics of such products, melting point, iodine number and melting point of the fatty acids : ** M.p. I. No. M.p. of Acids. Talgol 35-37 86.1 38.5 Talgol extra 42-44 63.9 45.5 Candelite 48-50 10.4 48.5 Candelite extra 51-52 10.5 51.8 968. Castor oil which does not solidify till below -18, gives on careful hydrogenation a very white hard solid which melts above 80 and which is advantageously employed as an electric insulator. 969. The question of the use of deodorized and hardened oils as fats in food has not been completely settled as yet, because we are not altogether certain about the toxicity of the small amounts of nickel which remain in the materials, amounts that are hardly more than 0.000002 % if the oils treated were entirely neutral. * GARTH, Seif. Zeit., 39, 1277 (1912). 43 According to information obtained from DR. WESSON, hydrogenation is carried on in the United States by about 60 concerns and hydrogenated oils are impor- tant constituents in some 92 brands of shortening. Formerly these were regarded as lard substitutes but they have made an independent position for themselves as "vegetable shortening" and have found favor with many who object to lard. For edible products cottonseed oil is the chief oil that is hydrogenated. The aim is to prepare a product that will not be too hard in winter or too soft in summer. Sometimes the whole of the oil is hydrogenated. The chief products thus made CATALYSIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 350 for the American market are Crisco, Selex, MFB, and Fairco. These melt at 33 to 37 and have iodine numbers running from 76 to 86. By varying the mode of hy- drogenation, products with nearly the same melting points but with iodine numbers varying as much as 10 points may be obtained. By hydrogenating down to an iodine number of 10 to 20 and mixing this very hard fat with untreated cottonseed oil the desired consistency may be obtained with a much higher average iodine number. This is the most common practice as much less hydrogen is required and the fraction of the oil that has to be hydrogenated is small. The melting points and iodine numbers of some leading brands are as follows: Melting Point Iodine Number Scoco 44.4 89.2 Snowdrift 44.1 89.3 Armstrong White Cloud 45.8 99.4 Armstrong Bob White 39.2 93.5 Fairbanks Boar's head 41.8 100 Morris Purity 42.0 97.5 P. and G. Flake white 42.8 90.6 P. and G. White flake 47.8 87.4 Swift Jewel 45.5 97.0 Wilson Advance 44.2 96.9 Kream Krisp 45.5 97.0 Highly hydrogenated cottonseed oil is a hard, white, brittle solid and does not become rancid. These properties make it a suitable constituent for prepared cake flours. Vast amounts of fish oils are hydrogenated to be used in making soaps. E. E. R. AUTHOR INDEX (References are to Paragraphs: a number followed by "n" designates a note.) Abakumobskaya, Miss L. N., with Nametkin, 478 Aboulenc, Jean, with Senderens, 598, 758, 759, 760 Acree, S. F., and Johnson, J. M., 202 Adam, Paul, 241, 896 Adams, Roger; Kamm, O., and Marvel, C. S., 306, 696, 713 Adkins, Homer, 797n, 861n Ador, E., with Rilliet, 291 Adrianowsky, 297 Akunoff, J., with Lunge, 445 Alexyef , 899 Allen, William, and Kolliker, Alfred, 890 Almedingen, 212 Aloy, J., and Brustier, 385, 661 Altmayer with Mayer, 411 Amberger, C., with Paal, 69, 70, 545 Ambrey, A., with Bourquelot, 18 Amouroux, G., 385, 435 Amouroux, G., with Mailhe, 739 Amouroux, G., with Murat, 414, 415 Andrews, C. E., with Boehner, 811 Anschiitz, Richard, 885, 889, 897 Anschutz, R., and Immendorff, H., 888 Antropoff, A. von, 180a Antropoff, A. von, with Bredig, 180a Arbusof, A. E., and Friauf, A. P., 633 Arbusof, A. E., and Khrutzkii, N. E., 633 Arbusof, A. E., and Tichwinsky, W. M., 611, 633, 635 Armstrong, H. E., and Tilden, W. A., 198 Aronheim, B., 286 Arrhenius, Svante, 178, 319, 324 Asahina, Y., 571 Aschan, Ossian, 929 Atkinson, R. H., Heycock, C. T., and Pope, W. J., 282n Auger, Victor, 893 Auger, V., and Behal, A., 280 Austerweil, Geza, 260n Baborovsky, G., and Kuzma, B., 276 Badische, A. S. Fb., 180s, 215, 270, 273, 511, 730, 876 Baekeland, Leo H., 792 Baeyer, Adolf, 90, 893 Baeyer, Adolf, and Drewsen, Viggo, 798 Baker, H. B., 73 Baly, E. C. C., and Krulla, Rudolf, 180 Bancroft, W. D., 116n, 180a, 1800, 180s Barbaglia, G. A., 224 Barbier, Ph., and Locquin, R., 565 Bardt, A. Y., with Doroshevskii, 268, 275 Barendrecht, H. P., ISOj Bartels, A., with Jannasch, 817 Bartels, G., with Meigen, 598 Bauer, A., 211 Bauer, Maurice, with Brochet, 601 Baumann, E., 150, 233 Bayer, A. G., 232 Bayer and Co., 104, 298 Bayley, 180a Becker, C., with Semmler, 570 Beckmann, E., 185, 189 Bedford, Fred, 939 Bedford, F., and Erdmann, E., 598, 943 Bedford, F., and Williams, C, E., 939, 941, 943 B6hal, A., 192, 308 B6hal, A., with Auger, 280 Behn, Richard, 892 Beilstein, F., and Geitner, P., 278 Beilstein, F., and Kuhlberg, A., 287 Belloni, E., with Carrasco, 250 Bergen, J. von, with Skita, 554 Bergius, Friedrich, 954 Bergreen, Henry, 894 Berl, E., 180r Berliner, 1800 Bernthsen, August, 296 Berthelot, Marcellin, 21, 60, 84, 148, 165, 351 352 AUTHOR INDEX 160, 1800, 308, 325, 340, 409, 477, 616, 637, 650, 749, 750n, 751, 752, 757, 758, 767, 768, 770, 822, 905, 909, 914, 926 Berthelot and Jungfleisch, 650, 749 Berthelot and St. Gilles, 758n Bertrand, Gab., 153, 264 Berzelius, J., 4, 129 Bevan, E. J., with Cross, 268 Bialobizeski, M., 900 Biehler, F., with Paal, 70 Blackadder, Thomas, 822 Blaise, 304 Blanck, F. C., with Tingle, 269n Blanes, J. S., with Madinaveitia, 569, 577 Blanksma, J. J., with van Ekenstein, 186 Bodenstein, Max, 8 Bodenstein, Max, and Fink, Colin G., 180r Bodlander, G., Koppen, K, 180r Bodroux, F., 751, 752, 757 Bodroux, F., and Taboury, F., 420 Boedtker, Eyrind, 819 Boedtker, Eyrind, and Halse, O. M., 888 Boehner, R. S., and Andrews, C. E., 811 Boehner, R. S., and Ward, A. L., 811 Boeseken, J., 81, 87, 224, 643 Boeseken, J., and Schimmel, A., 224 Boeseken, J., van der Scheer, J., and de Vogt, J. G., 879 Boeseken, J., and van Senden, G. H., 664 Boeseken, J., van de Weide, O. B., and Mom, C. P., 117, 546 Boessneck, P., 89 Boettger, B., 62, 165 Bone, W. A., and Jerdan, D. S., 409 Bornwater, J. T., and Holleman, A. F., 284 Borodin, A., 795 Borsche, W., and Heimbiirger, G., 546 Borsche, W., and Wollemann, J., 546 Bosler, M., 220 Boters, O., with Wolffenstein, 269 Bouchardat, G., 212 Boudet, F., 184 Boudouard, O., 615 Bougault, J., 203 Boullay, J. F. G., 691 Bourquelot, Em., and Aubry, A., 18 Bouveault, L., 654, 656, 663, 717 Bouveault, L., and Locquin, Rene", 663 Boyd, Robert, with Henderson, 459 Braun, J. von, and Deutsch, H., 897 Braune, H., 12 Bredig, G., 68 Bredig, G., and V. Antropff, 180a Bredig, G., and Brown, John Wesley, 272 Bredig, G., and Carter, S. R., 574 Bredig, G., and Fraenkel, W., 12 Bredig, G., and Ikeda, K., 116 Bredig, G., and Joyner, R. A., 836 Breteau, Pierre, 484, 536, 562, 571, 579 Breuer, Aug., and Zincke, Th., 220 Brochet, Andre", 30, 596, 598, 599, 600, 603 Brochet, Andre", and Bauer, Maurice, 601 Brochet, Andre", and Cabaret, Andre", 601, 602 Bromberg, O., with Fischer, 187 Brooks, Benj. T., and Humphrey, Irwin, 210, 306 Brown, J. W., with Bredig, 272 Brown, O. W., and Carrick, L. L., 512 Bruce, James, with Willstatter, 293, 473 Brunei, L., 126, 349, 443, 459, 464 Bruner, L., 291 Brunner, W., with Skita, 561 Brustier, V., with Aloy, 385 Bugarszky, Stefan, 178 Bum, Friedrich, with Kohn, 293 Bunsen, R., 180r Burrows, George J., 324 Burstert, H., with Glaus, 285 Burstyn, Walther, 234 Butlerow, A., 210, 306 Cabaret, Andre", with Brochet, 601, 602 Caldwell, G. C., and Grossmann, A., 184 Calm, A., 89 Calvert, F. C., 48, 1806 Cannizzaro, S., 880 Carpenter, C. C., 372 Carrasco, O., and Belloni, E., 250 Carrasco, O., and Padoa, M., 497, 684 Carrick, L. L., with Brown, 512 Carter, S. R., with Bredig, 574 Carughia, A., with Padoa, 489 Cathcart, W. R., Jr., and Meyer, Victor, 893 Chauvin, A. C., 268 Chelintzev, V. V., and Trunov, B. V., 805 AUTHOR INDEX 353 Ch. Fab. auf Actien (E. Sobering), 215 Chem. Fabr. Buckau, 881 Chiaves, C., with Padoa, 490 Chichibabin, A. E., 310, 686, 807, 810 Chichibabin, A. E., and Ryumshin, P. F., 901 Chowdhuri, T. C., with Neogi, 382 Ciamician, G., 647 Ciamician, G., and Silber, P., 150 Claisen, L., 783, 799, 804 Claisen, L., and Claparede, A., 798 Claisen, L., and Crismer, L., 106 Claisen, L., and Ponder, A. C., 798 Claparede, with Claisen, L., 798 Clark, Latham, and Jones, W. N., 414 Glaus, Ad., 207, 893 Glaus, Ad., and Burstert, H., 285 Clement and Desormes, 324 Cohen, Ernest, 8 Cohen, J. B., and Dakin, Henry, D., 293 Cohen, Lillian, with Harding, 298 Colin, H., and S&ie"chal, A., 11 Colson, Albert, 858 Commercial Research Co., 269n Consortium /. Electroch. Ind., 228 Cooke, Stephen, 166 Copisarow, Maurice, 893 Corenwinder, B., 15, 342 Cornubert, R., 602 Couroy, James T., 161, 837 Crafts, J. M., 82 Crafts, J. M., with Friedel, 87, 173, 263, 295, 297, 883, 889, 890, 893 Crismer, L., with Claisen, 106 Cross, C., F., Bevan, E. J., and Heiberg, Th., 268 Crossfield, J., and Sons, and Markel, K. E., 941 Curtius, Th., and Foersterling, H. A., 196 Curtius, Th., and Lang, J., 332 Cusmano, Guido, 564, 571 Dakin, H. D., with Cohen, 293 Damoiseau, O., 48, 1806, 282 Daniels, E. A., with Frankforter, 239, 806 Darzens, Georges, 30, 56, 243, 360, 389, 417, 420, 476, 488 MJgMMjp Darzens, G., and Rost, H., 390, 459, 476 Davy, E., 4 Davy, Sir Humphrey, 4 Day, D. T., 946 Deacon, H., 103, 180r Debray, H., with St. Claire-Deville, 64, 822 Debus, Heinrich, 180d, ISO/, 342, 528 Delepine, Marcel, 795 Delisle, Alfred, 183 Demole, E., 890 Demtschenko, S., 224 Demuth, R., and Dittrich, M., 893 Deniges, Georges, 268 Dennstedt, M., 742 Dennstedt, M., and Hassler, F., 257 Desormes, with Clement, 324 Deutsch, H., with v. Braun, 897 Deuss, J. J. B., 629 Deussen, Ernst, 560 Deville, St. Glair, 346 Dewar, James, 132, 136, 165 Dey, M. L., with Ray, 815n Dimroth, Otto, and W. von Schmaedel, 816 Dittrich, M., with Demuth, 893 Ditz, Hugo, 272 Dixon, Harold B., 73 Doebereiner, J. W., 62 Doroshevskii, A. G., and Bardt, A. Y. t 268, 275 Douris, Roger, 208, 419 Dovgelevich, N., with Ipatief, 920 Downes, Helen R., with Reimer, 340n Downs, C. R., with Weiss, 260n Drachussow, with Ipatief, 594 Drewsen, Viggo, with Baeyer, 798 Dreyfus, Henri, 255, 261, 309 Douris, Roger, 487 Dubois, H., with Miiller, A., 285 Dubrumfaut, 188 Ducelliez, F., Gay, L., and Raynaud, A. f 292 Duclaux, Jacques, 139 Dulk, L., with Meyer, 224 Dulong, and ThSnard, 637 Dumas, J., and Peligot, E., 691 Dupont, Georges, 195. 565, 577 Earle, R. B., and Kyriakides, L. P., to Hood Rubber Co., 802 Earle, R. B., with Kyriakides, 723 354 AUTHOR INDEX Easterfield, T. H., and Taylor, Miss Clara, M., 843 Egloff, Gustav, and Moore, Robert J., 909 Egloff, Gustav, and Twomey, T. J., 908 Egloff, Gustav, with Zanetti, 907 Eijkman, J. F., 392, 452, 454, 474 Ekl, Elizabeth, with Klemenc, 269n Elbs, Karl, 605 Ellis, Carleton, 941, 962 Ellis, C., and Rabinovitz, Louis, 601 Ellis, C., and Wells, A. A., 949 Engel, R., and de Girard, 780 Engelder, C. J., 1080, 694, 708, 710 Engler, C., 150 Engler, C., and Wild, W., 150 Engler, C., and Wohler, Lothar, 137, 154 Enklaar, C. J., 415, 416 Erdmann, E. O., 188, 598, 754, 941, 958 Erdmann, E., with Bedford, 598, 943 Erdmann, E., and Rack, E., 944 Erlenmeyer, Emil, 321, 696 Erlenmeyer, E. Jr., 203 Espil, Le*o, with Sabatier, 12, 16, 56, 80, 113, 114, 125 ; 338, 346, 358, 492, 598 Euler, A., with Euler, H., 225 Euler, Hans, 324 Euler, H., and Euler, A., 225 Evans, E. V., 372 Evans, P. N., and Sutton, Lena M., 691 Fabinyi, R., 90 Fabris, Ugo, with Padoa, 484, 491, 642, 643 Fahlberg, List and Co., 285 Faillebin, with Vavon, 565 Fajans, Kasimir, 836 Faraday, Michael, 180o Farbw. Meister, Lucius, and Bruning, 378 Farbf., v. F. Bayer and Co., 816 Fassek, W., 795 Farre, P. A., and Silbermann, J. T., 131 Faworsky, AL, 192 Fenton, H. J. H., 268 Fenton, H. J. H., and Jackson, Henry, 268 Fenton, H. J. H., and Jones, H. O., 268 Filippov, O. G., 577 Filippov, O. G., with Ipatief, 589, 590 Fink, C. G., with Bodenstine, 180r Fischer, Emil, 81, 187, 220, 754, 756, 758 Fischer, E., and Bromberg, O., 187 Fischer, Emil, and Fischer, O., 890 Fischer, E., and Giebe, Georg, 782 Fischer, E., and von Mechel, Lucas, 793 Fischer, E., and Morell, R. S., 187 Fischer, E., and Passmore, F., 221 Fischer, E., and Piloty, O., 187 Fischer, E., and Speier, Arthur, 753 Fischer, E., and Tafel, J., 237 Fischer, Ernst, with Schmidt, 571 Fischer, Franz, 931 Fischer, Franz, and Niggemann, Her- mann 930 Fischer, O., with Fischer, E., 890 Fischer, O., and Korner, G., 89 Fittig, Rudolph, 11, 183, 203, 293, 797 Fittig, R., and Kohl, Wilhelm, 183 Fittig, R., and Langworthy, C., F., 183 Fleitmann, Th., 270 Foesterling, H. A., with Curtius, 196 Fokin, S., 12, 252, 254, 266, 526, 556, 562, 587 Formin, W., with Tchougaeff, 570 Fossek, W., 224 Fournier, H., 567 Fownes, G., 194 Fraenkel, W., with Bredig, 12 Franchimont, A. P. N., 761 Franke, Adolf, 226 Franke, Adolf, and Kohn, Leopold, 234 Franke, Adolf, and Kohn, Moritz, 227 Franke, Adolf, and Wozelka, Hermann, 223 Frankfort er, G. B., and Daniels, E. A., 239, 806 Frankforter, G. B., and Kokatnur, V. R., 806 Frankforter, G. B., and Kritchevsky, W., 806 Frankland, E., and Kolbe, H., 232 Freas, Raymond, and Reid, E. Emmet, 758n Fre"bault, A., 428 Frerichs, G., 598 Freund, Michael, with Sleinkopf, 931 Friauf, A. P., with Arbuzof, 633 Friedel, C., and Crafts, J. M., 87, 173, 263, 295, 297, 883, 889, 890, 893 Friedmann, T. E., with Huston, 728 AUTHOR INDEX 355 Gabriel, S., and Neumann, A., 107 Gambler, with Trillat, 781 Gangloff, W. C., and Henderson, W. E., 899 Garrand, S. F., with Weismann, 654n Garth, Johann, 967 Gattermann, Ludwig, 606, 610, 895 Gattermann, L., with Stockhausen, 886 Gattermann, L., and Koch, J. A., 298 Gaudion, Georges, 382, 429, 513, 741 Gaudion, Georges, with Sabatier, 631, 634, 641, 643, 644, 6*5, 680, 681, 726, 923 Gay, L., with Ducelliez, 292 Geigy, R., and Koenigs, W., 893 Geilmann, W., with Mannich, 656 Geitner, P., with Beilstein, 278 Genieser, Ad., with Wilgerodt, 238 Genveresse, P., 890 Gerum, J., 576 Gerum, J., with Paal, 72, 546, 556 Geuther, A., 387, 780 Gibbs, H. D., 244n, 249n, 254n, 257n, 260n, 262w, 273n Gibello, with Seyewetz, 221 Giebe, Georg, with Fischer, 782 Girard, de, with Engel, 780 Gladstone, J. H., and Tribe, Alfred, 165, 166, 169, 785 Glinka, N., with Zelinski, 648, 822 Godchot, Marcel, 29, 363, 390, 392, 453, 482, 483 Godchot, Marcel, and Taboury, Fe*lix, 390, 421, 436, 856 Godon, F. de, with Mailhe, 539, 682, 740, 772n, 808, 814 Godon, F. de, with Sabatier, 801 Goldberg, Irma, 901 Goldschrnidt, Heinrich, and Larsen, Halfdan, 283, 288 Goldsmith, J. N., 661 Gossmann, A., with Caldwell, 184 Gottlieb, J., 183 Gottlob, Kurt, with Harries, 235 Graebe, C., 272 Graebe, C., and Guye, Ph., 107 Graebe, C., Liebermann, C., 328 Graham, Thomas, 65, 536 Grassi, G., 496 Greene, W. H., with LeBel, 691 Griesheiin Elektron, with Johnson, 260 Grignard, Victor, 11, 104 Grigoreff, 702 Grillet, 339 Grimaux, fidouard, 246, 680 Gross, K. F. L., 215 Grube, G., and Kriiger, J., 233 Gruearevic, S., and Merz, V., 899 Grim, A., with G. Schicht, Akt.-Ges., 846 Gustavson, G., 174, 199, 290, 293 Guthrie, F., 691 Guttmann, O., with Stock, 8 Guye, Ph., with Graebe, 107 Guyot, A., with Haller, 893 Haag, J., 233 Haarmann, Wilh., with Tiemann, 329 Hall, W. A., 933 Haller, A., 334, 341 Haller, A., and Guyot, A., 893 Haller, A., and Lassieur, A., 435 Haller, A., and Martine, C., 416, 421, 436, 476, 478 Haller and Youssouffian, 341 Halse, O. M., 569 Halse, O. M., with Boedtker, 888 Hamonet, J., 902 Hantzsch, A., 893 Harbeck, E., and Lunge, G., 180o Harding, E. P., and Cohen, Lillian, 298 Earned, Herbert, S., 180g Harries, C., 213 Harries, C., and Gottlob, Kurt, 235 Hartmann, Wilhelm, with Paal, 1800 Hartwich, Frank, with Wolffenstein, 893 Hassler, F., with Dennstedt, 257 Hatt, Daniel, with Willstatter, 569, 571 Hauser, O., and Klotz, A., 778 Haussknecht, Otto, 184 Hautefeuille, P., 15 Heckel, W., with Knoevenagel, 650, 669, 692, 720 Heidelberger, M., with Willstatter, 571 Heilberg, Th., with Cross, 268 Heimbiirger, G., with Borsche, 546 Heinemann, A., 815 Helfrich, O. B., and Reid, E. E., 278n Heller, Gustav, and Schulke, Kurt, 889n, 898 Hemptinne, A. de, 1800 356 AUTHOR INDEX Henderson, G. G., and Boyd, Robert, 459 Henderson, G. G., and Sutherland, Maggie M., 463 Henderson, W. E., with Gangloff, 899 Henrard, J. Th., 418 Henri, Victor, 180;, 180r Henry, L., 236 Henseling, 410 Herzenstein, Anna, with Zelinski, 649 Hess, K., and Liebbrandt, F., 561 Heycock, C. T., with Pope, 282n Hibbert, Harold, 699 Higgins, E. B., 944 Higgins, E. B., with Wimmer, 944 Hobohm, K., with Vorlander, 799 Hoffmann, F., and La Roche and Co., 555 Hofmann, A. W., 63, 232, 287 Hofmann, K. A., 262 Hofmann, K. A., and Schibsted, Helge, 824 Hofmann, K. A., and Schumpelt, K., 271 Hohenegger, C., with Paal, 212, 548 Holdermann, K., 269n Holleman, A. F., with Bornwater, 284 Holtzwart, Rudolf, 231 Hood Rubber Co., with Earle, 802 Hoppe, Eduard, 795 Hoppe-Seyler, F., 150 Houben, J., and Pfau, A., 569 Hiibl, Baron, 938 Hiibner, H., and Majest, W., 278 Hufner, G., ISOd Hugershoff, A., 630 Humphrey, Irwin, 210, 306 Husemann, Aug., and Marme*, Wilh., 330 Huston, R. C., and Friedmann, T. E., 728 Hutin, Albert, 792 Ikeda, K., with Bredig, 116 Iljinsky, M., 816 Immendorff, H., with Anschiitz, 888 Imray, O., from Fbw. Meister, Lucius and Bruning, 228 Ingle, Harry, with Mackey, 266 Ipatief, Vladimir N., 78, 1800, 180r, 190, 211, 232, 542, 543, 584, 585, 586, 587, 588, 589, 590, 591, 592, 593, 594, 595, 598, 667, 670, 694, 702, 706, 711, 714, 717, 722, 724, 943 Ipatief and Dovgelevich, N., 920 Ipatief and Drachussow, 594 Ipatief, V., Jakowlew, W., and Rakitin, W., 592 Ipatief and Leontowitch, W., 200 Ipatief and Louvogoi, 589 Ipatief, V., and Matow, N., 591, 722 Ipatief, V., and Filippov, O., 589, 590 Ipatief, V., and Rutala, O., 211, 714 Ipatief, V., and Schulman, G. G., 838 Ipatief, V., and Sdzitowecky, W., 713 Ittner, Martin H., 54n, 941n Jackson, Henry, with Fenton, 268 Jacobson, Oscar, 291, 887 Jacquet, D., with Willstatter, 563, 569 Jahn, Hans, 678 Jakowlew, W., with Ipatief, 592 Jannasch, P., and Bartels, A., 817 Jennings, H. S., 12 In Jerdan, D. S., with Bone, 409 Joannis, J., 267 Job, Andre*, 153 Johnson, F. M. G., 1800 Johnson, G. W., from Griesheim Elek., 260 Johnson, J. M., with Acree, 202 Jonas, K. G., with Semmler, 570 Jones, H. O., with Fenton, 268 Jones, W. N., with Clark, 414 Jorissen, W. P., and Reicher, L. Th., 100 Joyner, R. A., with Bredig, 836 Jungfleisch, fimile, 278 Jungfleisch, with Berthelot, 650, 749 Kametka, T., with Willstatter, 197, 472, 479 Kamm, O., with Adams, and Marvel, 306, 696, 713 Kastle, J. H., and Loevenhart, A. S., 180s Kaschirski, M., 200 Kawalier, A., 328 Kayser, E. C., 941, 963 Keghel, Maurice de, 481n Keiser, E. H., with Remsen, 150 Kekule', Aug., 182, 183, 795, 796 Kekuld, A., and Schrotter, H., 199 Kekule", A., and Strecker, Otto, 182 Kekule", A., and Zincke, Th., 222 AUTHOR INDEX 357 Kelbasinski, S. S., with Ostromuisslen- skii, 784 Kelber, C., 598, 599 Kelber, C., and Schwartz, A., 69, 548 Kempf, R., 276 Kenner, James, with Knoevenagel, 297 Kerez, Conrad, 877 Khrutzkii, N. E., with Arbuzof, 633 Kimura, Kanesuke, 964 Kipping, F. Stanley, 799 Kijner, N., 444 King, A. T., and Mason, F. A., 782 King, V. L., with Willstatter, 569, 571 Kjeldahl, 272 Kirchof, 4 Kizhner, N., 611, 612 Klemenc, Alfons, and Ekl, Elizabeth, 269n Klever, H. W., with Staudinger, 235 Klotz, A, with Hauser, 778 Kluge, Paul, 278 Knoevenagel, E., 240, 296, 632, 729, 790, 804 Knoevenagel, E., and Heckel, W., 650, 669, 692, 720 Knoevenagel, E., and Kenner, J., 297 Koch, Erwin, 278 Koch, J. A. , with Gattermann, 298 Koelichen, Karl, 229 Koenigs, W., with Geigy, 893 Koerner, G., and Menozzi, A., 312 Kohl, Wilhelm, with Fittig, 183 Kohn, Leopold, with Franke, 234 Kohn, Moritz, 697 Kohn, Moritz, with Franke, 227 Kohn, Moritz, and Bum, Friedrich, 293 Kohn, M., and Miiller, N. L., 293 Kokatnur, V. R., with Frankforter, 806 Kolbe, H., with Frankland, 232 Kolbe, H., and Saytzeff, Michael, 165, 536 Kolliker, Alfred, with Allen, 890 Konsortium f. Elektrochemische In- dustrie, 228 Kopp, Adolph, with Michael, 219 Koppen, K, with Bodlander, 180r Korner, G., with O. Fischer, 89 Koshelev, F. F., with Ostromuislenskii, 214 Kotz, A., and Schaeffer, 550 Koursanof, N. J., 889 Kramer, G., and Spilker, A., 217 Kramer, R. L., and Reid, E. E., 707n, 708n, 744n 4015 Catalysis 8-8-10 JM 18 gal 6 Krassuski, K., 200 Kraut, K., 329 Krestinsky, V., and Nikitine, N., 713 Kritchevsky, W., with Frankforter, 806 Kriiger, A., 278 Kriiger, F., 180; Kriiger, J., with Grube, 233 Kriiger, Paul, with Tiemann, 198, 800 Krulla, Rudolf, with Baly, 180i Kuhlberg, A., with Bielstein, 287 Kuhlmann, F., 342, 529 Kutscheroff, M., 309 Kuzma, B., with Babarovsky, 276 Kuznetzosr, M. I., 623, 920 Kvapishevskii, K. V., with ZaTkind, 548, 566 Kyriakides, L. P., 726 Kyriakides, L. P., and Earle, R. B., 723, 802 Lafont, J., 216 Laming, 146 Landolph, F., 211 Lang, J., with Curtius, 332 Langer, C., with Mond, 614 Langmuir, Irving, 180rf, 180e, 180/, 180p Langworthy, C. F., with Fittig, 183 Larsen, Halfdan, with Goldschmidt, 283, 288 Lassieur, A., 435 Lassieur, A., with Haller, 435 Laurent, A., 184 Lazarew, 293 Lebach, H., 792 Le Bel and Greene, W. H., 691 Le Chatelier, 131 Leeds, Albert R., 150 Lehmann, F., 583 Lemonie, Georges, 2, 11, 20, 32, 34, 38, 49, 63, 77, 679 Leontowitch, W., with Ipatief, 200 Leprince, and Siveke, 542 Lerczynska, Miss I., with Pictet, 936 Leroux, Henri, 481 Leroy, A. J., 293 Lescoeur, H., and Rigaut, A., 230 Lespieau, R., 566 358 AUTHOR INDEX Lespieau, R., and Vavon, G., 566 Lewis, W. C. McC., 180;, 180r Lewkowitsch, 314, 318 Libavius, 4 Lieben, Adolf, 104, 222, 321, 795 Liebermann, C., with Graebe, 328 Liebig, Justus von, 11, 312 Liebig, Justus von, with Wohler, 220 Liebrandt, F., with Hess, 561 Limpricht, H., 278, 320, 851 Lindenbaum, Ernst, with Naumann, 260, 269 Lineburger, C. E., 890 Lipp, Peter, 478 Lippmann, Edmund 0. von, 324 Livache, Ach., 266 Lobry de Bruyn, C. A., 186 Locquin, R., with Barbier, 565 Locquin, Rene", with Bouevault, 663 Loevenhart, A. S., with Kastle, 180s Loew, O., 62, 221, 562, 621 Longman, J., 298 Lorin, 822 Louise, E., 797 Louvogoi, with Ipatief, 589 Lowenherz, Richard, 315 Lucas, O. D., with Valpey, 933 Ludwig, H., 329 Lunge, G., and Akunoff, J., 445 Lunge, G., with Harbeck, 1800 McAfee, A. M., 935 Mackey, W. McD., and Ingle, Harry, 266 Madinaveitia, A., 117, 580 Madinaveitia, A., and Blanes, J. S., 569, 577 Mahl, with Wohler, 75 Mailhe, Alphonse, 383, 386, 435, 514, 735, 745, 833, 842, 843, 849 Mailhe, Alphonse, with Sabatier, 75, 77, 78, 112, 127, 162, 169, 170, 258, 337, 343, 347, 363, 385, 387, 391, 404, 406, 407, 420, 422, 430, 431, 437, 438, 442, 457, 458, 461, 470, 475, 486, 495, 521, 617, 621, 628, 641, 651, 655, 660, 672, 673, 674, 677, 689, 693, 702, 704, 706, 708, 709, 714, 715, 717, 731, 733, 734, 735, 737, 739, 743, 744, 745, 746, 762, 766, 769, 771, 772, 774, 777, 785, 786, 787, 788, 789, 791, 794, 822, 823, 824, 834, 839, 842, 843, 844, 845, 849, 850, 852, 853, 856, 857, 858, 866, 873, 876, 878, 916, 923 Mailhe, A., and Amouroux, 739 Mailhe, Alph., and de Godon, F., 539, 682, 740, 772n, 808, 814 Mailhe, A., and Murat, Marcel, 384, 385, 494 Majest, W., with Hiibner, 278 Mamontoff, W., 691 Mannich, C., 646 Mannich, C., and Geilmann, W., 656 Mannich, C., and Thiele, 966 Mansfield, Johannes, with Scholl, 685 Markaryan, Miss V., with Zal'kind, 548, 566 Markel, K. E., with Crossfield, 941 Marme*, Wilh., with Husemann, 330 Martine, C., with Haller, 416, 421, 436, 476, 478 Mason, F. A., with King, 782 Mason, John E., and Wilson, John, 262 Masson, A., 691 Matignon, C., and Trannoy, 75, 259 Matow, N., with Ipatief, 591, 722 Matthews, F. E., and Strange, E. H., 213 Maxted, Edward B., 10, 1800, 954 Mayer, E. W., with Willstatter, 565, 569 Mayer, Max, and Altmayer, 411 Mechel, Lukas von, with E. Fischer, 793 Meigen, W., and Bartels, G., 598 Meissel, M., 899 Meissl, E., 325 Meister, Lucius, and Bnining, Farbw, 261, 299 Meister, Lucius, and Bruning, with Imray, 228 Melsens, 48 Menozzi, A., with Koerner, 312 Menschutkin, N., 38, 768, 769 Mereshovski, B. K., 192, 193, 472 Merz, V., with Grucarevic, 899 Metzger, R., with Schmidt, 454, 484 Meyer, Ernst von, 231, 232 Meyer, Lothar, 294 Meyer, Richard, and Tanzen, August, 683 Meyer, Victor, with Cathcart, 893 Meyer, Victor, and Dulk, L., 224 AUTHOR INDEX 359 Meyer, W. A., with Skita, 69, 545, 551, 552, 554, 557, 559, 560 Michael, Arthur, 104, 239 Michael, Arthur, and Kopp, Adolph, 219 Michael, A., Scharf, E., and Voigt, K., 200 Michiels, Louis, 874 Mignonac, Georges, 380, 512, 809 Millar, W. S., 12 Miller, W. Lash, 1800 Milligan, C. H., 538n, 706n, 772n, 778n Millon, E., with Reiset, 637 Moeser, Ludwig, with Naumann, 260, 269 Moissan, Henri, 73, 136, 147 Moissan, H., and Moureu, Ch., 637, 914 Mom, C. P., with Boeseken, 117, 546 Mond, Ludwig, Langer, C., and Quincke, F., 614 Mond, Ludwig, Ramsay, William, and Shields, John, 136, 137 Moore, H. K., Richter, G. A., and Van Arsdel, W. B., 947, 952 Moore, R. T., with Egloff, 909 Morrell, R. S., with Fischer, 187 Mouneyrat, A., 199, 284, 289 Mouneyrat, A., and Pouret, Ch., 284 Moureu, Ch., with Moissan, 637 Mulder, E., 246 Miiller, A., and Dubois, H., 285 Miiller, Hugo, 278, 795 Muller, N. L., with Kohn, 293 Miiller, 287 Miintz, A., 325 Murat, Marcel, 475 Murat, Marcel, with Mailhe, 384, 385, 494 Murat, Marcel, with Sabatier, 343, 348, 362, 364, 369, 389, 415, 449, 452, 453, 455, 471, 475, 488, 523, 538, 714, 720, 721 Murat, M., and Amouroux, G., 414, 415 Mylo, B., with Wohl, 725 Nametkin, S. S., and Abakumovskaya, L. N., 478 Naumann, Alex., Moser, Ludwig, and Lindenbaum, Ernst, 260, 269 Neuberg, Carl, 268 Neuberg, C., with Wohl, 237 Nencki, M., 899 Neogi, P., and Chowdhuri, T., C., 382 Neumann, A., with Gabriel, 107 Neumann, G., 137 Niederhausern, Heinrich V., 787 Niggemann, H., with Fischer, F., 930 Nikitine, N., with Krestinsky, 713 Nord, F., with Skita, 555 Norman, W., 542, 598, 940, 941, 945 Norman, W., and Pungs, W., 598 Norman, W., and Schlick, F., 80, 583 Norton, L. M., and Prescott, C. O., 691 (Economides, S., 795 Oehme, H., with Paal, 555 Oelsner, K., with Semmler, 570 Oldenberg, Babette, with Oldenberg, 272 Oldenberg, Hermann, and Oldenberg, Babette, 572 Olivier, S. C. J., 893 Orloff, E. L, 253, 254, 256 Orndorf, W. R., 223 Ostromuislenskii, I. L, and Kelbasin- ski, S. S., 784 Ostromuislenskii, I. I., 'and Kosheler, I. L, 214 Ostwald, W., 8, 37, 140, 178, 180, 336 Overton, B., 893 Paal, C., 69, 72, 248, 251, 542, 544, 547, 555 Paal, C., with Skita, 555 Paal, C., and Amberger, C., 69, 70, 545 Paal, C., Biehler, F., and Steyer, H., 70 Paal, C., and Gerurn, J., 72, 546, 556 Paal, C., and Hartmann, Wilhelm, 180o, 546 Paal, C., and Hohenegger, C,, 212, 548 Paal, C., and Oehme, H., 555 Paal, and Schwarz, A., 548, 558 Paar, W., with Wolff enstein, 269n Padoa, Maurizio, 485 Padoa, M., with Carrasco, 497, 684 Padoa, M., and Carughi, A., 489 Padoa, M., and Chiaves, C., 490 Padoa, M., and Fabris, U., 484, 491, 642, 643 Padoa, M., and Ponti, 371, 434, 487, 619 Padoa, M., and Scagliarini, G., 647 Parcus, E., and Tollens, B., 188 Pardee, A. M., and Reid, E. E., 340n 360 AUTHOR INDEX Parker, H. K., 285n Passmore, F., with Fischer, 221 Paterno, E., 282 Patrick, W. A., 75n, 180c Patry, E., with Pictet, 270 Pauwels, Joseph, 236 Peachey, S. J., 11, 104, 108 Peligot, E., with Dumas, 691 Perkin, W. H., 107 Perkin, W. H. Jr., 224, 795 Perrin, Jean, 180j Peter, Arnold H., 691 Pe"tricou, 288 Petri, Camille, 182 P6trie, 75 Pfau, A., with Houben, 569 Phillips, P., 4 Pictet, Anne", and Lerczynska, 936 Pictet, Aime", and Patry, E., 270 Piloty, O., with Fischer, 187 Pinkney, 261n Piria, R., 328, 329, 851 Pishchikov, P. V., with Zal'kind, 38 Plattner, 75 Plotnikov, V. A., 284 Plummerer, Rudolf, with Wilstatter, 835 Ponder, A. C., with Claisen, 798 Ponti, with Padoa, 371, 434, 487, 619 Pope, Wm. J., with Atkinson. 282n Potter, H. M., with Rosanoff, 324 Prescott, C. O., with Norton, 691 Priebs, Bernhard, 89, 803 Pring, John N., 525 Prins, H. J., 198, 216, 242, 625, 903 Pungs, W., with Norman, 598 Purgotti, A., and Zanichelli, L., 563 Quincke, F., with Mond, 614 Rabinovitz, Louis, with Ellis, 601 Rack, E., with Erdmann, 944 Radziewanowski, Cornelius, 886, 888 Rai, Hashmat, 265 Rakitin, W., with Ipatief, 592 Ramsay, Wm., with Mond, 136, 137 Rather, J. B., and Reid, E. E., 601 Raupenstrauch, G. A., 795 Ray, J. N., and Dey, M. L., 815n Raynaud, A., with Ducelliez, 292 Reboul, E., 212 Reformatski, A., 298 Regnault, V., 131 Reich, 75 Reicher, L. T., 178 Reicher, L. T., with Jarissen, 100 Reid, E. Emmet, lOn, 241n, 285n, 340n, 538n, 696n, 772n, 816w, 778n, 947n Reid, E. Emmet, with Freas, 758n Reid, E. Emmet, with Helfrich, 278 Reid, E. Emmet, with Kramer, 707n, 708n, 744n Reid, E. Emmet, with Pardee, 340n Reid, E. Emmet, with Rather, 601 Reid, E. Emmet, with Van Epps, 812 Reimer, Marie, and Downes, Helen R., 340n Reiset, J., and Millon, E., 637 Remsen, Ira, and Reiser, E. H., 150 Riban/J., 216, 795 Richardson, A. S., 269n Riche", 397 Richter, G. A., with Moore, 947, 952 Richter, W., with Semmler, 570 Rideal, E. K., ISQj Rideal, E. K., and Taylor, H. S., 180s Rigaud, L., 328 Rigaut, A., with Lescoeur, 230 Rilliet, A., and Ador, E., 291 Risse, F., with Semmler, 570 Ritter, H., with Skita, 549, 642 Rochleder, F., 340 Roenisch, P., with Semmler, 570 Rontgen, W. C., 324 Rosanoff, M. A., and Potter, H. M., 324 Rosenmund, K. W., 575 Rosenmund, K. W., and Zetsche, F., 545 Rossel, Arnold, 220 Rost, H., with Darzens, 390, 459, 476 Rothmund, Victor, 324 Roux, Le"on, 199, 293 Rosanov, N. A., 193, 472 Russanow, A., 280 Rutala, O., with Ipatief, 211, 714 Ryumshin, P. F., with Chichibabin, 901 Sabatier, P., 10, 146, 180, 364, 397, 399, 400, 402, 416, 418, 511, 515, 590, 932, 939 Sabatier, P., and Espil, Le*o, 12, 16, 56, 80, 113, 114, 125, 338, 346, 358, 492, 598 AUTHOR INDEX 361 Sabatier, P., and Gaudion, G., 631, 634, 641, 643, 644, 645, 680, 681, 726 Sabatier, P., and de Godon, F., 801 Sabatier, P., and Mailhe, Alphonse, 75, 77, 78, 112, 127, 162, 169, 170, 258, 337, 343, 347, 363, 385, 387, 391, 404, 406, 407, 420, 422, 430, 431, 437, 438, 442, 457, 458, 461, 470, 475, 486, 495, 521, 617, 621, 628, 641, 651, 655, 660, 672, 673, 874, 677, 689, 693, 702, 704, 706, 708, 709, 714, 715, 717, 731, 733, 734, 735, 737, 739, 743, 744, 745, 746, 762, 766, 769, 771, 772, 774, 777, 785, 786, 787, 788, 789, 791, 794, 822, 823, 824, 834, 839, 842, 843, 844, 845, 849, 850, 852, 853, 856, 857, 858, 866, 873, 876, 878, 916 Sabatier, P., Mailhe, Alph., and Gaudion, G., 923 Sabatier, P., and Murat, M., 343, 348, 362, 364, 369, 389, 415, 449, 452, 453, 455, 471, 475, 488, 523, 538, 714, 720, 721 Sabatier, P., and Senderens, J. B., 26, 111, 208, 343, 351, 362, 368, 370, 374, 375, 376, 377, b78, 379, 388, 394, 396, 410, 413, 414, 419, 424, 425, 427, 433, 435, 436, 446, 449, 451, 456, 460, 464, 466, 467, 468, 469, 471, 475, 477, 481, 482, 494, 497, 500, 501, 502, 503, 504, 506, 508, 509, 510, 511, 512, 515, 517, 518, 519, 520, 521, 526, 527, 530, 531, 533, 534, 542, 614, 616, 619, 622, 637, 652, 654, 656, 658, 659, 660, 664, 666, 668, 683, 701, 832, 912, 914, 916, 919, 920, 925, 928, 939 Sainte-Claire-Deville, H., 216 Sainte-Claire-Deville, H., and Debray, H., 64, 822 Sandmeyer, T., 91, 607, 608, 609 Sastry, S. G., 265 Sayre, R., with Schorger, 235 Saytzeff, Michael, 536, 306 Saytzeff, Michael, with Kolbe, 165, 536 Scagliarini, G., with Padoa, 647 Schaeffer, with Kotz, 550 Scharf, E., with Michael, 200 Scheiber, Johannes, 893 Scheufelen, Adolf, 293 Schiaparelli, Cesare, 293 Schibsted, Helge, with Hofmann, 824 Schicht, G., Akt.-Ges., 942 Schicht, G., Akt.-Ges., and Grim, A., 846 Schiel, J., 282 Schimmel, A., with Boeseken, 224 Schlick, F., with Norman, 80 Schlinck, H., and Co., 960 Schmaedel, W, von, with Dimroth, 816 Schmidt, C., with Schraube, 206 Schmidt, J., and Fischer, Ernst, 571 Schmidt, J., and Metzger, R., 454, 484 Schneider, W. von, 210 Schnellenberg, Albert, with Sonn, 565 Schoenbein, C. F., 180o Scholl, Roland, and Mansfield, Jo- hannes, 685 Scholl, Roland, and Seer, Christian, 685 Scholl, R. Seer, Chr., and Wellzenbock, R., 685 Scholtz, M., 799 Schone, Em., 160 Schonfeld, H., 944 Schorger, A. W., 930 Schorger, A. W., and Sayre, R., 235 Schraube, C., and Schmidt, C., 206 Schrohe, A., 212 Schrotter, H., with Kekute, 199 Schulke, Kurt, with Heller, 889n, 898 Schulman, G. G., with Ipatief, 838 Schultze, Paul, 320 Schumpelt, K., with Hofmann, 271 Schtitzenberger, 637 Schwartz, A., with Kelber, 69, 548 Schwarz, A., with Paal, 548, 558 Schwoerer, 941, 959 Sdzitowecky, W., with Ipatief, 713 Seelig, E., 283, 285, 286 Seer, Christian, with Scholl, 685 Seiichideno, 115 Seligman, R., and Williams, P., 12 Semmler, F., W., and Becker, C., 570 Semmler, F., W., Jonas, K. G., and Oelsner, K., 570 Semmler, F. W., Jonas, K. G., and Richter, W., 570 Semmler, F. W., Jonas, K. G., and Roenisch, P., 570 Semmler, F. W., and Risse, F., 570 Senden, G. H. von with Boeseken, 664 Senderens, J. B., 78, 511, 694, 696, 700, 713, 718, 719, 725, 840, 844, 849, 855, 858, 873, 874, 878, 881 362 AUTHOR INDEX Senderens, J. B., with Sabatier, 26, 111, 208, 343, 351, 362, 368, 370, 374, 375, 376, 377, 378, 379, 388, 394, 396, 410, 413, 414, 419, 424, 425, 427, 433, 435, 436, 446, 449, 451, 456, 460, 464, 466, 467, 468, 469, 471, 475, 477, 481, 482, 494, 497, 500, 501, 502, 503, 504, 506, 508, 509, 510, 511, 512, 515, 517, 518, 519, 520, 521, 526, 527, 530, 531, 533, 534, 542, 570, 614, 616, 619, 622, 637, 652, 654, 656, 658, 659, 660, 664, 666, 668, 683, 701, 832, 912, 914, 916, 919, 920, 925, 928, 939 Senderens, J. B., and Aboulenc, Jean, 598, 758, 759, 760 Se'ne'chal, A., with Colin, 11 Seyewetz, A., and Gibello, 221 Shaw, T. W. A., 601 Shroeter, G., 481n Shukow, A. A., 942 Siemens, 397 Silber, P., with Ciamician, 150 Silbermann, J. T., with Favre, 131 Silva, R. D., 890 Siveke, with Leprince, 542 Skita, A., 71, 420, 546, 548, 553, 559, 560 Skita, A., and Brunner, W., 561 Skita, A., and Meyer, W. A., 69, 545, 551, 552, 557, 559, 560 Skita, A., Meyer, W. A., and Bergen, J. von, 554 Skita, A., and Nord, F., 555 Skita, A., and Paal, C., 555 Skita, A., and Ritter, H., 549, 642 Skraup, H., 182 Smirnof, V. A., 369, 465 Snethlage, H. C. S., 12 Soc. de Ste*arinerie, and Savonnerie de Lyon, 949 Sommelet, Marcel, 818, 889, 899 Sommer, Rudolf, 268 Sonn, Adolf, and Schnellenberg, Albert, 565 Sonnenfeld, Eugen, with Willstatter, 251 Spier, Arthur, with Fischer, 753 Spilker, A., with Kramer, 217 Spohr, J., 324 Sponagel, Paul, with Ullmann, 904 Sprent, C., 413, 713 Squibb, Edward R., 161, 180a, 837 Staudinger, H., and Klever, H. W., 235 Steinkopf, Wilhelm, and Freund, Mich- ael, 931 Steyer, H., with Paal, 70 St. Gilles, Pean de, with Berthelot, 758n Stock, A., and Guttmann, O., 8 Stockhausen, F., and Gattermann, L., 886 Stolid, R., 201 Stone, W. E., and Tollens, B., 727 Strange, E. H., with Matthews, 213 Strecker, Adolph, 240 Strieker, Otto, with Kekule", 182 Strutt, R. J., 180c Sulzberg, N. ; with Thiele, 203 Sutherland, M. J., with Henderson, 463 Suto, K., 268 Sutton, Lena M., with Evans, 691 Taboury, Fe"lix, with Bodroux, 421 Taboury, F61ix, with Godchot, 390, 421, 436, 856 Tafel, J., with Fischer, 237 Tanatar, S., 182, 193 Tanret, C., 188 Tanzen, August, with Meyer, 683 Taylor, Clara M., with Easterfield, 843 Taylor, H. S., 1806, 1800, 180? Taylor, H. S., with Rideal, 180s Tchougaeff, L., and Fomin, W., 570 Teuchert, R., 312 Tltfnard, with Dulong, 637 Thiele, with Mannich, 966 Thiele, Johannes, and Sulzberger, N., 203 Tiemann, Ferd., 191 Tiemann, Ferd., and Haarmann, Wilh., 329 Tiemann, F., and Kriiger, Paul, 198, 800 Tikhvinskii, V. M., with Arbusow, 611, 633, 635 Tilden, W. A., with Armstrong, 198 Tingle, J. B., and Blanck, F. C., 269n Tischenko, V. E., 228, 299 Tollens, B., with Parcus, 188 Tollens, B., with Stone, 727 Tollens, B., with Yoder, 727 Tollens, B., and Wigand, P., 83 Tornthwaite, 75 Trannoy, with Matignon, 75, 259 Traube, M., 73 AUTHOR INDEX 363 Trey, H., 317 Tribe, Alfred, with Gladstone, 165, 166, 169. 785 Trillat, A., 73, 249, 253, 256 Trillat, A., and Gambier, 781 Trunov, B. V., with Chelintzev, 805 Tschelinzeff, W., 301 Turbaba, D., 22 Turner, Edward, 10, 116 Twomey, T. J., with Egloff, 908 Tyndall, 180j Uklonskaja, Miss, N., with ZeUnski, 649 Ullmann, Fritz, 901 Ullmann, F., and Sponagel, Paul, 904 Valpy, O. H., and Lucas, O. D., 933 Van Arsdel, W. B., with Moore, 947, 952 Van der Scheer, J., with Boeseken, 879 Van der Weide, O. B., with Boeseken, 117, 546 Van Ekenstein, W. A., with Lobry de Bruyn, 186 Van Ekenstein, W. A., and Blanksma, J. J., 186 Van Epps, G. D., and Reid, E. Emmett, 812 Van't Hoff, 139, 175 Varet, Raoul, and Vienne, G., 241 Vavon, G., 63, 567, 568, 570 Vavon, with Lespieau, 566 Vavon and Faillebin, 565 Veley, V. H., 8, 269n Veraguth, H., with Willstatter, 480 Verein, Chininfabr. Zimmer, and Co., 572, 604 Verein, f. Chem. Ind., 254 Verinigte Ch. Werke, 946 Vienne, G., with Varet, 241 Vignon, Le*o, 269n, 540 Villiers, A., 153 Vogt, J. D. de, with Boeseken, 879 Voigt, with Michael, 200 Vorlander, D., and Hobohm, K., 799 Wacker, L., 274 Waldschmidt-Leitz, Ernst, with Will- statter, 62n, 167n, 562n, 563n, 573n, 943n, 947n. Wallach, O., 198, 205, 546, 552, 797 Wallach, O., and Wiisten, M., 97 Ward, A. L., with Boehner, 811 Waser, E., with Willstatter, 480, 535, 571 Weismann, Charles, and Garrand, S. F., 654n Weiss, J. M., and Downs, C. R., 260n Wells, A. A., with Ellis, 949 Wellzenbock, R., with Scholl, 685 Wesson, David, 967n Wilbaut, J. P., 683 Wieland, Heinrich, 251 Wieland, H., and Wishart, R. S., 579 Wigand, P., with Tollens, 83 Wiggers, A., 307 Wilbuschewitch, M., 941, 945, 961 Wild, W., with Engler, 150 Wilde, M. P. von, 342, 526 Wilfarth, H., 272 Willgerodt, C., 283 Willgerodt, C., and Genieser, Ad., 238 Williams, C. E., with Bedford, 939, 941, 943 Williams, P., with Seligman, 12 Williams, R. R., and Gibbs, H. D., 254n Williamson, Alexander, 159, 169, 848, 851 Willstatter, Richard, 542, 562, 563 Willstatter, Richard, and Bruce, James, 293, 473 Willstatter, R., and Hatt, D., 569, 571 Willstatter, R., and Heidelberger, M., 571 Willstatter, R., and Jacquet, D., 563, 569, 571 Willstatter, R., and Kametaka, T., 197, 472, 479 Willstatter, R., and King, V., 569, 571 Willstatter, R., and Mayer, E. W., 565, 569 Willstatter, R., and Pummerer, Rudolf, 835 Willstatter, R., and Sonnenfeld, Eugen, 251 Willstatter, R., and Veraguth, H., 480 Willstatter, R., and Waser, E., 480, 535, 571 Willstatter, Richard, and Waldschmidt- Leitz, Ernst, 62n, 167n, 562w, 563n, 573n, 943n, 947n Wilsmore, N. T. M., 829 Wilson, John, with Mason, 262 364 AUTHOR INDEX Wimmer, K. H., and Higgins, E. B., 944 Winkler, Clemens, 73 Wipperinann, R., 230 Wischnegradsky, A., 210 Wishart, R. S., with Wieland, 579 Witzemann, Edgar, J., 725 Wohl, A., 324 Wohl, A., and Mylo, B., 725 Wohler, F., and Liebig, Justus, 220 Wohler, F., and Mahia, 75 Wohler, Lothar, with Engler, 137, 154 Wohl, A., 94 Wohl, A., and Neuberg, C., 237 Woker, Miss Gertrude, 180; Wolffenstein, R., and Boters, O., 269 Wolffenstein, Richard, and Hartwich, Frank, 893 Wolffenstein, R., and Paar, W., 269n Wollemann, J., with Borsche, 546 Wollrath, A., 278 Woltman, A., 964 Woog, Paul, 257, 259 Wozelka, Hermann, with Frank, 223 Wurtz, Adolphe, 11, 219, 307, 334, 605 Wusten, M., with Wallach, 97 Yoder, P. A., and Tollens, B., 727 Youssouffian, with Haller, 341 Zagumenni, A., 692 Zal'kind, Y. S., 548, 566 ZaPkind, Y. S., and Kvapishevskii. K. V., 548, 566 Zal'kind, Y. S., and Miss Markaryan, V., 548, 566 Zal'kind, Y. S., and Pishchokov, P. V., 38 Zanetti, C. U., 742 Zanetti, J. E., and Egloff, G., 907 Zanichelli, L., with Purgotti, 563 Zdrawkowitch, Milan R., 62 Zeise, 62 Zelinski, H., 302 Zelinsky, N. D., 390, 472, 478, 534, 535, 649, 906, 934 Zelinsky, N. D., and Glinka, N., 648, 822 Zelinsky, N. D., and Herzenstein, Miss Anna, 649 Zelinsky, N., and Uklonskaja, Miss N., 649 Zetsche, F., with Rosenmund, 545 Zincke, Th., with Breuer, 220 Zincke, Th., with Kekule*, 222 Zinin, N., 203, 220 Zsigmondy, R., 18Q; SUBJECT INDEX (References are to Paragraphs: a number followed by "n" designates a note.) Absorption of gases, 131, 135 Acenaphthene, hydrogenated, 482 Acetaldehyde, 219, 222, 261, 700, 724, 725 into acetals, 780, 782 from acetylene, 92, 309, 310 as catalyst, 105, 310, 312 condensed, 52, 592, 780, 782, 795, 796, 801, 807 crotonized, 795, 801 decomposed by Pd., 623, 680 into ester, 228 formed, 1800, 200 hydrogenated, 432, 439, 494, 538, 593, 664, 668, 670, 673 with hydrogen sulphide, 810 by oxidation, 249, 254, 256, 268 oxidised, 255, 260, 261 preparation of, 309 Acetal, by oxidation, 249 Acetals, 81, 97, 175, 249, 305, 779-783 formed, 81, 106, 249 hydrolysis of, 322, 323 preparation of, 782 Acetamide, dehydrogenated, 811 hydrolyzed, 336, 386 Acetanhydride, 107 decomposed, 829 in esterification, 761 into ketone, 857 Acetanilide in synthesis, 901 Acetic acid, into acetone, 161, 180a, 840-845 from acetylene, 255 from alcohol, 48, 150, 255, 257, 261 as catalyst, 106, 215, 687, 780 chlorinated, 280 decomposed, 831, 843 esterified, 750, 758, 760, 771 esters of decomposed, 863 formed, 1806 into nitrile, 812 by oxidation, 48, 150, 255, 257, 261 retarder, 11 Acetols, 783 Acetone, into acetol, 783 with chloroform, 238 condensed, 238, 783, 797, 797n, 798, 800, 801, 805 condensed with aldehydes, 798 condensed with benzaldehyde, 798 condensed with citral, 800 condensed with o.nitrobenzaldehyde, 798 crotonized, 797, 798 decomposed. 620, 659, 665, 668 formed, 161, 180a, 249, 309, 831, 837, 844 hydrogenated, 435, Co 503, Cu 594, Fe 593, Ni 588, 598, Pt 567, Zn 595 by oxidation, 249, 254a preparation of, 161 Acetone-oxime hydrogenated, 383 Acetonitrile as catalyst, 108, 605 formed, 871 polymerized, 50, 231, 427 Acetonyl-acetone hydrogenated, 440 Acetophenone, 848, 849 catalytic solvent, 38 condensed, 799 by Friedel and Crafts reaction, 891, 893 hydrogenated, 389, 455, 538, 539, 568 Acetophenone-oxime hydrogenated, 384 Acet-oxime hydrogenated, 383 Acetyl-acetone hydrogenated, 439, 595 Acetyl-brom-glucose condensed, 793 Acetyl chloride formed, 280 in F. and C. reaction, 891-893 Acetylation, 81, 240 365 366 SUBJECT INDEX Acetyl-chloramino-benzene isom., 202 Acetyl-cyclo-hexene hydrogenated, 476 Acetyl-diphenyl-amine, syn., 901 Acetylene, 38, 102, 308-310 condensed, 686, Co 928, Cu 916, Fe 928, Ni 925-928 condensed with benzene, 241 decomposed, 637, 913-920 formed, 409 hydrated, 27, 92, 308 hydrogenated by Co, 501, Cu 518, Fe 506, Ni 423, 424, Pd 548, 558, Pt 342,527 polymerized, 212, 914 Acetylene bond, migration of, 192 Acetylene compounds hydrogenated, 423-425, 518, 527, 548, 558, 566, 577, 601 Acetylene glycols hydrogenated, 548, 566, 577 Acetylene hydrocarbons decomposed, 913-919 hydrated, 308 polym., 212 Acetylene tetrabromide, 289, 897 Acetylene tetrachloride, 199 Acetyl-vanilline hydrogenated, 568 Acid amides hydrolyzed, 331 Acid anhydrides formed, 872 hydrogenated, 392 into ketones, 857 Acid chlorides, 243 with ammonia, 813 decomposed by AlCls, 625 in F. and C. reaction, 891-894 hydrogenated, 575 Acids, in formation of acetals, 783 from alcohols, 150, 246, 275 catalysts, 17, 81 decomposed, 171, 820-856 in depolymerization, 234 in esterification, 748-756 hydrogenated, 422 in hydrolysis, 175, 305 in hydrolysis of glucosides, 175 in inversion of sugar, 175 in isomerization 181-182 Aconitic acid hydrogenated, 558 Acridine hydrogenated, 491 oxidised, 270 Acridone, 270 Acroleme, 101, 249, 658, 680, 713, 725, 726 hydrogenated, 419 Acrylic acid hydrogenated, 417 by oxidation, 249 Activated charcoal as catalyst, 282n Active alkaloids as catalysts, 836 Active modifications, 180i Adipic acid, 251 Adsorption theory, 180c Aeration of Pt. black, 563 Agitation in catalysis, 541 in hydrogenation, 957 Albumin, stabilizer for, Pd, 69 Alcohol eliminated, 817 as source of H, 537 as solvent in hydrogenation, 599 toxic to Pt. black, 117 Alcoholates, 299 Alcohols with aldehydes, 784 decomposed, 1800, 538, CdO 674, C 679, SnO 673, Zn 678 dehydrated, 28, 75, 98, 99, 138, 180ft dehydrogenated, 28, 650-679 by hydration of hydrocar., 305 hydrogenated, 416 oxidised, 246, 249, 254, 268 Alcohols, aromatic, hydrogenated, 369, 465 Alcoholysis, 340, 340n Aldehydes, 236, 653, 655, 668, 701, 723 acetylated, 240 into acetals, 780-783 from alcohols, 15, 48, 246, 650 condensed, 90, 237, 239, 240, 794- 810 crotonized, 794-801 decomposed, 618-623, 532, 549 dehydrated, 794-802 by depolymerization, 234 into esters, 225-228 formed, 15, 28, 31, 48, 75, 142, 200, 208, 866 hydrogenated, 388, 419, 432-434, 568, Co 503, Cu 522, Fe 506, 593, Ni 588, 602, Pt 567 by oxidation, 15, 48, 258-261, 268, 275 from oximes, 268, 332 with phenols, 792 polymerized, 82, 106, 218-228 SUBJECT INDEX 367 preparation of, 851-854 Aldolization, 82, 83, 95, 97, 219, 221 Aldols depolymerized, 234 formed, 219 Aldoximes dehydrated, 814 hydrogenated, 383, 384, 514 isomerized, 204 Alicyclic ketones hydrogenated, 436 Aliphatic hydrocarbons cracked, 911, 912 Alizarine, 274, 328 Alkalies in hydrolysis, 305 Alkaline bisulphates in esterif., 748, 759, 760 carbonates as cats., 97 halides elim., 904 Alkaloids as cats., 836 Alkyl-anilines, 729 Alkylation of arom. hydrocar., 884-890 Alkyl bromides decomposed, 876 in F. and C. syn., 885 in Grignard reaction, 302 isomerized, 199, 200 Alkyl chlorides decomposed, 86, 876- 882 in syn., 883-889 Alkyl halides, 104, 300-304, 883-885 isomerized, 876 Alkyl iodides, 304 decomposed, 876 in F. and C. reaction, 885 Alkyl phenol ethers, 494, 789 hydrogenated, 464 Alkyl piperidines, 741 Alkyl sulphides, 626-628, 743, 744 Alkyl ureas, 431 Allenic hydrocarb. hydrated, 308 isomerized, 192 Allyl alcohol 601, 680, 740 dehydrated, 713 esterified, 757 isomerized, 208, 658 oxidised, 249 hydrogenated, 416, 558 Allyl amine as cat., 836 Allyl benzoate, 766 Allylene hydrated, 309 polymerized, 212 Allyl iodide, 605 Allyl ketones hydrogenated, 602 Allyl mercaptan, 744 Almond oil, 938 Alumina as carrier, 127 as catalyst, 75, 78, 169, ISQj, 540, 586, 624, 676, 693, 694, 700, 714, 721, 722, 732, 740, 784, 797n, 807- 814, 825 in cracking, 906, 934 decomp. chlorides, 881 decomp. esters, 861n, 866, 872-874 decomp. hexane, 920 dehydration catalyst, 142, 180(7, 180fc, 651, 686, 743, 784, 791 esterification cat., 764 isomerizes unsat. hydroc., 190, 200 ketone cat., 840, 849 life of, 708 mercaptan cat., 746 polymeriz. unsat. hydroc., 211 preparation of, 77, 706, 713, 714 Aluminum cat., 284, 886, 901 in cracking, 906 dec. hydrocarb., 920 influence on, Pd, 946 Aluminum alcoholates, 12, 299 amalgam, 293 catalyst, 51 dissolved in alcohols, 12 oxidation cat., 254 Aluminum bromide, bromination cat., 93, 293 catalyst, 298 chlorination cat., 289 isomeriz. cat., 119 in F. and C. reaction, 893 Aluminum chloride, bromination cat., 293 with carbon monoxide, 298 catalyst, 6, 33, 87, 173-174, 239-243, 293-297, 687, 728, 795, 797, 803, 806, 817-819, 877-879, 884-900, 903, 929-931, 935 chlorination cat., 283, 284 condensation cat., 903 cracking cat., 935 on cymene, 930 dehydrogenation cat., 638, 685 in F. and C. reaction, 896-900 on hydrocarb., 929-931 on naphthalene, 931 on pinene, 931 polymerizes hydrocarb., 211, 216 368 SUBJECT INDEX regenerated, 935 in sulphonation, 295 with sulphur dioxide, 297 theory of action, 173, 687, 728 on thiophenol, 629 on xylene, 930 Aluminum ethylate polymer, aids., 228 preparation, 299 Aluminum phosphate, 99, 719, 726 Aluminum powder cat., 901 Aluminum salts dehydration cat., 717 in nitration, 269n Aluminum sulphate cat., 99, 696, 706, 717, 725, 759, 760 Aluminum turnings chlorination cat., 284 in F. and C. reaction, 886 with mercuric chloride, 886 Amarine formed, 194 American hardened oils, 967n American petroleum, 908, 928, 932 Amides dehydrated, 811 hydrogenated, 386, Cu 514, Ni 386 hydrolized, 305, 311, 331, 335, 336 from nitriles, 311 from oximes, 204, 205 polymerized, 233 syn. by F. and C. reaction, 895 Amines, 170, 426, 430, 431, 513, 514, 600, 682 cond. cat., 803 decomp. Ni, 631 dehydrogenated, 681, 682 formed, 15, 170, 382, 383, 731-742 hydrogenated, 496 by hydrogenation, 382, 383 oxidised, 268 from oximes, 383 secondary, 682 suphurized, 296 syn. of, 683, 731-742 in vulcaniz. of rubber, 104 Amino-acetophenone, 545, 557 Amino-benzoic acid hydrogenated, 569 Amino-caproic acid into lactam, 205 Amino-cyelo-hexanes dehydrogenated, 642 Amino-cyclo-hexane-carbonic acid, 569 Amino-thyl alcohol oxid., 268 Amino-malonic nitrile, 230 Amino-naphthol, 564 Amino-nitrobenzene, syn. of, 901 Amino-phenol, 630, 632 Amino-phenols, 381. 536 Amino-succinic acid, 312 Ammonia into amines, 901 condensed with aids., 807-809, 812, 813 condensed with ketones, 809 condensation cat., 803, 804 in cracking, 933 decomposition cat., 637 eliminated, 611, 631-633 with esters, 871 by hydrogenation, 377 from nitric oxide, 368, 374 oxidised, 249, 256 polymeriz. cat., 104 syn. of, 180s, 180f, 180w, 342 Ammonium alum, 784 Ammonium chloride cat., 97, 783 Ammonium isosulphocyanate, 104, 207 Ammonium nitrate, 97, 256, 375, 376 783 Ammonium nitrite, 375 Ammonium salts in esterif., 748 Ammonium sulphate, 97, 783 Amount of catalyst, 598, 951 Amount of acids in esterif., 753-756 Amphoteric hydroxides, 859 Amygdalin, 329 Amyl-amine, 486, 631, 681 Amyl alcohol, 150, 673 Amyl-benzine hydrog., 569 Amylene, 626, 696, 746 ; 871, 929 dec. by A1C1.,, 929 hydrated, 306 hydrogenated, 558, 565 preparation of, 706n Amyl nitrite, tox. to cats., 116 Amyl oleate hydrogenated, 526 Amyl stearate, 526 Anethol hydrogenated, Ni 590, 601 Anhydrides hydrogenated, 392 Aniline, 469, 495, 497, 531, 536, 538, 545, 554, 557, 576, 630-632, 683, 790 alkylated, 729, 740 eliminated, 634, 635 formed, 165, 277, 378, 380, 381 hydrogenated, 466, 467, 569 by hydrogenation, 277, 378, 380, 381 SUBJECT INDEX 369 manufacture, 378, 511 methylated, 729 oleate hydrogenated, Ni 601 oxidised, 256 in syn., 901 toxicity to cats., 116 Aniline black, 260n, 271 Aniline hydrobromide as cat., 726 Anilines, substituted, 468 Animal charcoal, carrier, 946 catalyst, 48, 282 Anisalcohol, 568 Anisaldehyde condensed, 808 hydrogenated, 568 polymerized, 220 Anisdidines, 632 Anisolne, 220 Anisol condensed, 806 hydrogenated, 464, 494, 589 neg. cat,, 11, 303 preparation, 789 Anthracene, 274, 806, 897, 908, 909, 914, 921 from acetylene, 914 condensed, 806 by cracking, 908, 909 decomposed, 921 by F. and C. reaction, 897 hydrogenated, 29, 363, 483, 592 oxidised, 257, 260n, 262, 262n, 269, 271 Anthracene blue by oxide., 274 Anthracene hydrides dehyd., 642, 728 Anthraquinone, 257, 260n, 262, 262n, 269, 271, 839, 846 sulphonated, 816 syn. by F. and C., 893 Anthraquinone disulphonic acids, 816 Anthraquinone sulphonic acids, 816 Antimony cat., 47 Antimony chloride cat., 90, 216 chlorination cat., 283, 287 in F. and C., 899 Apparatus for dehydration, 717 for dehydrogenation, 654 for hydrogenation, 584, 585, 597, 957-964 Arabinose dehydrated, 727 from HCHO, 221 multirotation, 188 Arabite oxid., 268 Araboketose by oxid., 268 Arabonic acid, 187 Arachidic esters, 937 Arbutin hydrolyzed, 328 Argon abs. by C, 180d Aromatic acids dec., 830 esterified, 758, 766 hydrogenated, 471 Aromatic alcohols condensed, 728 hydrogenated, 369, 465 reduced, 369 Aromatic aldehydes hydrogenated, 388, 568 Aromatic amides syn. by F. and C., 895 Aromatic amines with alcohols, 740 hydrogenated, 466 syn., 901 thioureas, 630 Aromatic bromides from diazo., 608 Aromatic chlorides from diazo, 607 Aromatic ethers, 494 Aromatic hydrocarbons from CjH*, 926 alkylated, 877-890 brominated, 291-293 by cracking, 932 decomp., 921, 930 hydrogenated, 446 oxidised, 269 Aromatic ketones hydrogenated, 389, 455. 523, 590 Aromatic nitro-comps. hydrogenated, 511,600 Aromatic nucleus hydrogenated, 444- 456, Cu 594, Fe 593, Ni 589, Pd 556, 578, Pt 534, 560, 569 Aromatic rings hydrogenated, 444-456, 534 Arsenic toxic to Pt, 116 Arsenic acid, 691 Arsenious oxide toxic to Pt, 116 transformed, 73 Arsine cat. poison, 1800 decomp. of, 8 Asbestos as carrier, 126, 941 Asparagine formed, 312 Aspartic imide hydrogenated, 312 Asymmetric dec. of acids, 836 Atoms, migration of, 199 Auto catalysis, 8 Autoclave for, H 2 , 597 370 SUBJECT INDEX Auto oxidation, 150, 151 Azobenzene, by hydrogenation, 511 hydrogenated, 497, 554 Azo-compounds hydrogenated, 600 Azoxy-compounds hydrogenated, 600 Bakelite, 792 Baku petroleum, 444 cracked, 934 Barium carbonate cat., 98, 838 Barium chloride cat., 86, 876, 880 Barium hydroxide cond. agt., 800 Barium peroxide poly, cat., 214 Barium salts decomp., 837 Barium soaps neg. cat., 115 Bases as cats., 83 in hydrolysis, 175, 178 Bauxite cat., 706, 706n Beef tallow, 938 Benzal-acetone, 798 Benzal chloride, 320, 890 Benzaldehyde, into acetal, 783 acetalated, 240 from benzal chloride, 320 condensed, 89, 798, 799, 803, 804, 807, 808 decomposed, Ni 620, Pd 623 into ester, 225 formed, 165, 575 ; 657, 674 by F. and C. react., 297, 298 by hydrolysis, 329 by oxidation, 249, 257, 259, 260n, 268 hydrogenated, Fe 593, Ni 388, Pd 549, 560, Pt 568, thoria 538 polymerized, 220 Benzaldoximes transformed, 185 Benzamide by F. and C. syn., 895 Benzanthrone, 685 Benzene, 518, 593, 620, 641, 643, 649, 657, 674 from C 2 H 2 , 914-916 brominated, 292 chlorinated, 278, 284, 285 condensed, 806, 817-819 by cracking, 908, 909 in cracking, 907 from cymene, 930 decomposed, 907, 921 in F. and C. syn., 894, 897 in Grignard syn., 300 hydrogenated, 26, 344, 361, 362, 444-447, 534, 589, 947n, Co 502, Pt 560, 569 from hydrogenation, 370, 378, 388 neg. cat., 11 oxidised, 260n, 263, 268, 276 sulphonated, 815 from xylene, 930 Benzene homologs from acetylene, 518 hydrogenated, 447-450, Co 502, Pt 569 Benzene ring hydrogenated, Ni 603 Benzene sulphinic acid, 297 Benzhydrol, 538, 728, 745 to amine, 736 dehydrated, 688, 692, 720 dehydrogenated, 650, 662, 720, Pd 669 hydrogenated, 369 Benzhydryl amine, 736 mercaptan, 745 Benzidene, 202 Benzoic acid from aldehyde, 225 into aldehyde, 853 from benzotrichloride, 320 decomposed, 830, 834, 839, 840-845 esterified, 757, 758, 766, rate 75Sn hydrogenated, Ni 590, Pd 551, Pt 559, 560 into ketone, 848-850 by oxidation, 257 sulphonated, 815n, 816 from toluene, 150 Benzoic esters, decomp., 864 hydrogenated, 471 Benzolne, 220, 234, 590 hydrogenated, 391 Benzonitrile by dehydration of amine, 681 by diazo reaction, 605 from esters, 871 hydrogenated, 428 polymerized, 232 Benzophenone, 538, 650, 662, 669, 720, 845, 846, 890 condensed, 809 formed, 839, 891, 893, 899 by F. and C. syn., 891, 893, 899 hydrogenated, 389, 539, 590, Cu 523, Pt 560 Benzophenone oxime, 384 Benzotrichloride, 320 SUBJECT INDEX 371 Benzoyl-acetone hydrogenated, 391 Benzoyl-benzoic acid, syn. of., 893 Benzoyl chloride in F. and C. syn., 893, 899 hydrogenated, Pd 575 into nitrile, 813 Benzoyl peroxide cat., 214 Benzoyl-propionic acid, 203 Benzoyl-salicylic aid. hydrogenated, 568 Benzoyl-vanilline hydrogenated, 568 Benzyl-acetone hydrogenated, 389 Benzyl alcohol, 549, 560, 715, 729, 740 from aldehyde, 225 into amine, 734 cat. solvent, 38 condensed, 728 dehydrated, 688, 714 dehydrogenated, C<}O 674, Cu 657, MnO 673 esterified, 771, 773 hydrogenated, 369, 465, 538, 593 oxidised, 249 Benzyl amine, 428, 631, 734 catalyst, 836 dehydrogenated, 681 hydrogenated, 470, 496, 560 Benzyl-aniline, 729 Benzyl-benzylidene-acetone, 547 Benzyl chloride dechlorinated, 605 decomposed, 880, 916 formed, 281, 818, 889 in F. and C. syn., 889 in syn., 899, 901 Benzyl cyanide, 605, 871 Benzyl-cyclohexyl-amine, 739 Benzyl formate, 773 Benzylidene acetate formed, 240 Benzylidene-hydrindone, 799 Benzylidene-malonic acid, 804 Benzyl mercaptan, 744 Benzyl-pyridines syn., 901 Beryllia cat., 651, 675, 676, 702, 778, 828 esterific. cat., 778 Betulol hydrogenated, 570 Bi-cyclo-octane, 480 Bi-cyclo-octene hydrogenated, 480 Bis-diazoacetic acid hydrol., 332 Bismuth oxidised, 269n Bleaching of oils, 265 Blue oxide of molybdenum cat., 675, 732, 827 dehydration cat., 791 mercaptan cat., 746 Blue oxide of tungsten cat., 651, 676, 693, 700, 702, 708, 709, 715, 716, 732, 825 dehydration cat., 791 mercaptan cat., 746 preparation of, 715 Boric acid dec. esters, 864 dehydration cat., 687 influence in hydrogenation, 944 oxidation cat., 274 toxic to cats., 115 Boron fluoride polymer, cat., 84, 211 Borneol from acetate, 340 from camphor, 591, 722 dehydrated, 714 dehydrogenated, 661 esters of, 340 oxidised, 257, 260n Bornyl acetate, 340 Brands of hardened fats 967, 967n Brass cat., 254n, 670 Brass block furnace, 348 Brassidic acid formed, 184 into ketone, 843 Brochet's apparatus, 597 Bromal cond., 806 Bromanilines red., 405 Brombenzene formed, 292, 293 hydrogenated, 405, 545 sulphonated, 815n in syn., 901, 904 Brombenzoyl chloride in F. and C. syn., 893 Bromides cats., 84 Bromination, 290-293 Bromine, cat., 43 chlorination cat., 279 elim., 405, 407, 605 isomerization cat., 182 toxic to cats., 116, 359 Bromnaphthalenes isom., 199 Bromnitrobenzenes hydrogenated, 405, 512 Bromstyrene hydrogenated, 546 Bromtoluene, 293, 405 Brucine hydrogenated, 555 Butadiene formed, 726, 784 polym., 213 Butaneal-ol (1, 3) formed, 219 372 SUBJECT INDEX Butane, 473, 621 Butanediol dehydrated, 726 hydrogenated, 438 Butanol-one, 438 Butanone hydrogenated, 435 Butylene, 776 Butyl alcohol from crotonic aid., 419, 567, 801 dehydrated, 700, 713, 719 dehydrogenated, 656, 664 esterified, 771, 773 oxidised, 249, 268 sec. Butyl alcohol dehydrated, 713 dehydrogenated, 665 tert. Butyl alcohol dehydrated, 713 esterified, 776 Butyl-benzene hydrogenated, 448, 569 by hydrogenation, 389, 391 Butyl benzoate, 766 tert. Butyl bromide, 200 Butylene from acetylene, 916 by dehydration, 670, 696, 713 Butyl formate, 773 tert. Butyl isocyanate, 430 Butyl mercaptan, 744n Butyl-naphthalene by hydrog., 390 Butyl-phenol hydrogenated, 459 Butyric acid from crotonic, 422 decomposed, 839 esterified, 771 into ketone, 840, 842-844, 846 Butyric aldehyde from BuOH by Ni, 664 from PrCOCl, 575 from crot. aid., 419, 567 crotonized, 795 dec. by Pd, 623 by oxidation, 249 polymerized, 223 Butyric esters decomp., 863, 871 Butyrolactone by hydrogenation, 392 Butyryl chloride hydrogenated, 575 Cadmium dehydrogenation cat., 674, 824 ketone cat., 841 Cadmium chloride cat., 876 Cadmium oxide dehydrogenation cat., 674, 676 dec. formic ac., 539 ketone cat., 841, 849 Cadmium sulphate cat., 626 Calcium carbonate in acetone prep., 161 carrier for cat., 127 catalyst, 98 ketone cat., 161, 838, 839, 849, 857 to neut. oils, 848 Calcium hydroxide toxic to cats., 115 Calcium oxide cat., 83, 98 decomp. hydrocarb., 911 ketone cat., 840, 849 Calcium salts cats., 269n decomposed, 837 Calcium sulphate cat., 98, 687, 718 Camphane, 477, 552, 594, 611, 722 Camphane from borneol, 722 dehydrogenated, 644 hydrogenated, Cu 594, Ni 477, 591, Pd 552, Pt 570 Campholide by hydrogenation, 392 Camphor from borneol, 260n, 269n, 661 hydrogenated, 591, 722 by oxidation, 257, 260n, 269n Camphor acids, 836 Camphor-hyrazone dec., 611 Camphoric acid by oxid., 257 Camphoric anhydride hydrogenated, 392 Camphorone hydrogenated, 421 Camphor-oxime hydrogenated, 385 Cane sugar oxidised, 269 Candelite, 967 Caoutchouc, syn. of, 214, 215 Caproic acid into aldehyde, 853 esterified, 771 into ketone, 845 Caproic aldehyde, 853 Caproic esters decomp., 871 Caprylic acid into ketone, 843 Caprylene hydrogenated, 414 Carbamic chloride in F. and C. syn , 895 Carbazol hydrogenated, 490 Carbides in earth, 928 Carbimides, 431 Carbohydrates hydrogenated, 595 Carbon catalyst, 48, 49, 257, 257n, 687, 700, 811, 828, 911 cat. dec. alcohols, 679 dehydrogenation cat., 638, 679 hydrogenated, 409, 525, 586 oxidation cat., 257 SUBJECT INDEX 373 separated, 613 Carbon dioxide eliminated, 831 hydrogenated, Co 504, Cu 508, Ni 395, 396, 586, Pt 533 Carbon disulphide chlorinated, 283 eliminated from ill. gas, 339, 372 on F. and C. syn. 892, 893, 897 hydrogenated, 372, 492 hydrolyzed, 339 negative cat., 303 reduced, 372 into thioureas, 630 toxic to cats., 116 Carbon hexachloride formed, 289, 881 Carbon monoxide, 508, 593, 613-617, 821, 825-828, 866-869, 953 added, 298 decomposed, 163, 614 eliminated, 618-625 from formic acid, 143, 172 in F. and C. syn., 297, 298 hydrogenated, 540, Co 504, Ni 393, 394, Pd 536, Pt 533 in hydrogenation, 953 oxidised, 150, 180a, 248, 251 source of H in hydrogenation, 537 toxic to cats., 116, 1800 Carbon suboxide, 873 Carbon tetrachloride added, 242 formed, 1806, 278, 279, 282-285, 287 Carbylamines hydrogenated, 430, 521 hydrolyzed, 334 Carbonyl chloride in F. and C. syn., 891, 893 polymerize aids., 222 preparation, 134, 282, 282n Carbonyl group hydrogenated, 432-442 Carboxy-camphor acids, 836 Carriers for cats., 126, 941, 946 Carvacrol hydrogenated, 459 Carvacrylene, 789 Carvacryl ethers, 786, 789 Carvomenthane, hydrogenated, 570 Carvomenthol, 567, 722 Carvomenthone, 591 Carvone hydrogenated, 476, 552, 567, 591 Carvotenacetone, 567 Caryophylene hydrogenated, 560 Castor oil in alcoholysis, 341 hydrogenated, 968 iodine no., 938 Catalysis, definition, 1, 3, 4, 140 at a distance, 180.; history of, 4 mechanism of, 129-180u Catalysts, amounts of, 32, 951 for cracking, 906, 910-912 dehydration, 687 hydrogenation, 598, 941 life of, 111, 359, 947 orienting, 816 placing in tubes, 128 poisons for, 112, 113, 116, 359, 946 preparation, 54-56, 58, 59, 76-78, 598, 606, 655, 704, 705, 707n, 861n, 941, 942 regeneration of, 947n, 950 Caucasian petroleum, 926 Cellulose hydrolyzed, 323 Ceria in drying oils, 266 ketone cat., 849 oxidation cat., 259, 261 promoter, 1802 Cerium compounds cats., 153, 264, 269n, 271 Charcoal as absorbent, ISQd, ISQq animal as carrier, 946 animal as cat., 282n, 700 carrier for, Ni 598, 941, 946 catalyst, 828 chlorination cat., 282 cat. for phosgene, 282n condenses gases, 131, 135 dec. hydrocarb., 911 Chemical potential, 1800 Chemical theory of cat., 145 Chloracetanilid, 202 Chloracetates reduced, 407 Chloracetic acid, 280, 281 Chloral cond., 239, 806 polymer., 224, 228 Chloranilines, 512, 632 Chlorates oxidisers, 271 reduced by Pd, 165 Chlorbenzenes formed, 278, 284, 285, 404 sulphonated, 815n in syn., 904 Chlorbenzoic acid hydrogenated, 545 in syn., 901 374 SUBJECT INDEX Chlorbenzoyl chloride in F. and C. syn., 893 w-Chlorbutyl-benzene in F. and C. syn., 897 Chlorcaffeine hydrogenated, 545 Chlorcinnamic ac. hydrogenated, 245 Chlor-compounds hydrolyzed, 320 Chlorcrotonic acid hydrogenated, 545 Chlorcyclo-hexane, 403 j8-Chlorethyl-benzene in F. and C. syn., 897 Chlorides cats., 84 et seq. Chlorides chlorination cats., 278 oxidation cats., 263 Chlorination, 44, 58, 90, 156, 278-289 of acetic acid, 280 catalysts, 283-285 Chlorine absorbed by C, 180& catalyst, 43 eliminated, 403, 404, 407, 605 produced, 103 toxic to cats., 359, 947 on water, 257n Chlorketones produced, 243 Chlormethyl ethers cond., 818 in F. and C. syn., 889, 899 Chlor-nitrobenzenes hydrogenated, 404, 512 in syn., 901 Chlor-nitrobenzoic acid in syn., 901 Chloroform cond., 238 formed, 629, 879 in F. and C. syn., 890 negative cat., 11, 238 stabilized, 11 in syn., 890, 903 cc-Chlorpentyl-benzene in F. and C. syn., 897 Chlorphenols by reduction, 404 Chlorpicrin, 180g Chlortoluene hydrogenated, 569 Cholesterine hydrogenated Pt, 565 Chromic chloride, 357 Chromic oxide, cat., 75, 675, 676, 693, 703, 732, 746, 791, 840, 849 dehydration cat., 702, 791 dehydrogenation cat., 686 in drying oils, 266 ketone cat., 840, 849 mercaptan cat., 746 mixed cat., 702 oxidation cat., 259 preparation of, 78 Cinchonidine hydrogenated, Pd 555 Cinchonine hydrogenated, Pd 555, Pt 561 Cinchotine, 555 Cineol dehydrogenated, 645 Cinnamene hydrogenated, 451 Cinnamic acid esterified, 756, 757 formed, 107, 246 hydrogenated, 417, 581, 583, 604, Cu 594, Ni 590, 601, Ru 580 by hydrogenation, 548 Cinnamic alcohol oxidised, 249 Cinnamic aldehyde from alcohol, 246 condensed, 799 hydrogenated, Pd 546, Pt 568, 560 by oxidation, 249 Citraconic acid hydrogenated, Pt 558 isomerized, 183 Citral condensed, 800 from geraniol, 658 hydrogenated, Pd 595, Pt 567 Citric acid esterified, 756 retarder, 11 toxic to cats., 115 Citronellol, 416 Class of alcohol determined, 701 Clay dehydration cat., 99, 700, 702, 717 Clarifying solutions, 25 7n Clupadonic acid, 937, 938, 955 esters of, 937 Coal oxidation cat., 257 Cobalt on alcohols, 666 catalyst, 57, 167, 615 in cracking, 906 decomp. C 2 H 2 , 919, 920, 928 decomp. aromat. hydrocarb., 921 decomp. hydrocarb., 906, 912 dehydrogenation cat., 637, 651, 652, 666 deterioration of, 500 hydrogenation cat., 344, 499-504, 945 in drying oils, 266 oxidation cat., 254, 258 Cobalt carbonyl, 616 Cobalt chloride cat., 283, 876 Cobalt oxide, oxidation cat., 75, 180a, 259 Cobalt soap, 265 Cocoa butter, alcoholysis of, 341 SUBJECT INDEX 375 hardened, 966 iodine number, 938 Cocoaimt oil, hydrogenated, 939 Codeine, hydrogenated, Pt 572 Codliver oil, hardened, 966 iodine number, 938 Coke as catalyst, 48, 257 Colchicine hydrogenated, Pd 555 Collidines, 686 Collisions of molecules, 180e, ISO/ Colloidal metals, preparation of, 67 Colloidal palladium, 544-555, 604 Colloidal platinum, 544, 556-561 Colophene from pinene, 216 Colza oil, 938 Complex rings hydrogenated, Pt 571 Condensation of aldehydes, 794-800 of ketones, 794-800 Coniferine hydrol., 329 Coniferyl alcohol by hydrol., 329 Contact process, 180r, 258 Contra- valencies, 180ft Copper catalyst, 59, 269n, 538-540, 683, 692, 824, 831, 833-835, 901, 904, 920-922 on alcohols, 142 colloidal, 72 in cracking, 906, 932 decomp. C 2 H 2 , 913, 916, 917, 920 decomp. aldehydes, 621 decomp. CO, 615 decomp. formic esters, 867 decomp. hydrocarb., 921 decomp. pinene, 922 dehydrogenates amines, 681 dehydrogenation cat., 142, 636, 637, 641, 646, 651-654, 656-663, 680, 681, 701, 720, 726, 824 on diazo-comps., 606-610 hydrogenation cat., 344, 507-523, 594, 939, 945 isomer. cat., 208 oxidation cat., 15, 75, 162, 167, 253, 254, 258 preparation, 59, 606, 655 Copper chloride cat., 635 Copper oxide cat., 259, 269n Copper powder cat., 606-610, 655 Copper salts in nitration, 269n in oxidation, 271 Copper sulphate cat., 240, 272, 725 in Deacon's proc., 103 Cottonseed oil, iodine number, 938 hydrogenated, 587, 965, 967n Coumanic acid dec., 835 Cracking, 906, 910-912, 929-936 by A1C1 3 , 929-931, 935 by cats., 910-912, 932, 934 discovery, 906 with oxide cats., 934 Cresol ethers hydrogenated, 494 Cresols with aldehydes, 792 ethers of, 386, 785, 786, 789 formed, 386, 645, 660 hydrogenated, 457, 464 by oxidation, 263 Cresyl-carvacryl ether, 788 Cresyl-diamines by hydrogenation, 380 Cresyl oxides, 785 Cresyl-propanes hydrogenated, 415 Crisco, 967n Crotonic acid into aldehyde, 853 esterified, 756, 771 hydrogenated, 422, Pd 546, Pt 558 Crotonic aldehyde, 307, 794-796, 801 condensed, 796 formed, 52, 219, 308, 310 hydrogenated, 419, Pt 567 Crotonization, 81, 89, 107, 794-800 of aldehydes, 795 of ketones, 797 Crotonylene polym., 212 Cumene, 644 Cuminic aldehyde by oxidation, 249 polymerized, 220 Cuminoine, 220 Cuminyl alcohol oxid., 249 Cuprene, 518, 916-918 Cupric hydroxide purif . of oils, 948 Cuprous bromide cat., 608, 611, 633 in diazo reaction, 91 prep., 608 Cuprous chloride cat., 298, 611, 633, 879, 901 in diazo reaction, 91 Cuprous iodide cat., 611, 901 in diazo reaction, 91 Cuprous oxide in diazo., 91 Cuprous salts cats., 611, 633 in diazo reaction, 606-610 Cyanethine, 232 Cyanides cats., 95 376 SUBJECT INDEX Cyanogen hydrated, 312 Cyaphenine, 232 Cyclic acids dec., 830 Cyclic hydrocarb. dec., 921 polym., 216 Cyclic ketones, 611 Cyclic ketoximes, 205 Cyclization, 82, 194 Cyclo-aliphatic ethers, 494 Cycle-butane, 473 Cyclobutene hydrogenated, 473 Cyclobutene bromide, 293 Cycloheptane, 197, 479, 649 Cyclohexadienes dehydrogenated, 643 Cyclohexadiols, 461 Cyclo-hexadione, 874 Cyclo-hexamethylene ring, 475 Cyclohexane, 445, 452, 466, 468, 469, 471-475, 497, 534, 560, 587, 589, 611, 643 decomp., 921 dehydrogenated, Fe 593, Ni 641 formed, 26, 55, 113, 361, 388, 389, 403 oxidised, 251 prepared, 446 purified, 446 Cyclohexane alcohols, 698, 737 Cyclohexane hydrocarb. dehydrogen- ated, 641 formed, 389 Cyclohexane petroleums cracked, 934 Cyclohexanol, 30, 120, 443, 460, 461, 560, 569, 589, 603, 739, 741 into amine, 737 dehydrated, 714 dehydrogenated, 642, 660 Cyclohexanol homologs dehydrogenated, 642 Cyclohexanone, 456, 560, 642, 660 crotonized, 797 hydrogenated, 436, 567 hydrazone, 611 oxime hydrogenated, 385 Cyclohexatriol, 462 Cyclohexene, 456, 475, 515, 628, 643, 698, 714 dehydrogenated, 643 hydrogenated, 587 Cyclohexene acetic acid hydrogenated, 476 Cyclohexendiol ether, 443 Cyclohexenes by dehydration, 698 dehydrogenated, 643 Cyclohexanol by oxidation, 251 Cyclohexenone hydrogenated, Pd 552 Cyclohexyl-acetic acid, 471, 476 Cyclohexyl alcohols dehydrogenated, 714, 717 esterified, 757, 766 Cyclohexyl-amine, 466, 469, 497, 560, 569, 737, 739 dehydrogenated, Ni 642 by hydrogenation, 378, 385 Cyclohexyl-amines, 739 Cyclohexyl-aniline, 466, 469, 642 Cyclohexyl benzoate, 766 Cyclohexyl chlorides decomp., 876 in F. and C. syn., 889 Cyclohexyl-cy clohexene hydrogenated , 475 Cyclohexyl-diethyl-amine, 468 Cyclohexyl-ethyl-amine, 468 Cyclohexyl-heptane by hydrogenation, 414 Cyclohexyl mercaptan, 628, 745 Cyclohexyl-methyl-amine, 468 Cyclohexyl oxide, 589 Cyclohexyl piperidine, 741 Cyclohexyl-propionic acid, 471, 580 581, 590 Cyclohexyl-propyl alcohol, 560 Cyclohexyl sulphide, 628 Cyclo-oetadiene, 480 Cyclo-octane dec. Ni, 197 by hydrogenation, 480, 571 Cyclo-octanone, 571 Cyclo-octatetrene hydrogenated, 535, 571 Cyclo-octatriene hydrogenated, 571 Cyclo-octenone hydrogenated, 571 Cyclo-paraffine oximes hydrogenated, 385 Cyclopentadiene hydrogenated, 474 Cyclopentane, 436, 474, 649 Cyclopentane-carbonic acid, 649 Cyclopentanol, 436 Cyclopentanone, 874 hydrogenated, 436, 567 oxime hydrogenated, 385 Cyclopentyl-amines by hydrogenation, 385 SUBJECT INDEX 377 Cyclopental-benzene by F. and C. syn., 897 Cyclopentyl chlorides dec., 876 Cyclopentyl-cyclopentanone, 436 Cyclopropane hydrogenated, 472 Cyclopropane ring dec., 193 Cymene dec. by AlCla, 930 by dehydrogenation, 644, 645 hydrogenated, 448 from pinene, 922 Cymenes by hydrogenation, 369, 415 Deacon's process, 103, 1806, 257n Decahydro-acenaphthene, 563 Decahydro-anthracene, 592 Decahydro-fluorene, 454 dehydrogenated, 642 Decahydro-naphthalene, 481, 553, 571, 592, 594 Decahydro-naphthols, 481, 592, 714 Decahydro-quinaldine, 488 Decahydro-quinoline, 488, 555, 561, 592 Decane, 595 Decanol, 595 Decarbonization of CO, 614 Decomposition of acids, 820-856 Decomposition of esters, 858-872 Decomposition and cond. of hydrocarb., 905-936 Decompositions by Ni, 493 Decyclizations, 193 Dehydration, 687-727, 728-784, 785- 816, 825 of alcohols, 138, 169, 688-727 of alcohols with acids, 747 of alcohol with aids., 779 of alcohols with amines, 729 of alcohols with ammonia, 729 of alcohols with hydrocarb., 728 of alcohols with hydrogen sulphide, 743 of alcohols with ketones, 779 of aldehydes, 794 of aids, with ammonia, 807 of aids, with hydrogen sulphide, 810 of aids, with ketones, 798 by alumina, 713 of amides, 811 apparatus, 717 of benzhydrol, 720 by beryllia, 778 by blue oxide of tungsten, 715 catalysts, 538, 651, 675, 687, 702, 825 in gas phase, 693, 694, 700-727, 731, 801 of glycerine, 760 with hydrogenation, 721, 722 by iodine, 699 of ketones, 797 in liquid medium, 691, 692, 695-699, 729 by metal oxides, 702, 763 by mineral acids, 696, 749 of oximes, 814 of phenols, 785-793 of phenols with alcohols, 789 of phenols with amides, 790 of phenols with hydrogen sulphide, 791 of poly-alcohols, 723, 727 with ring formation, 727 theory of, 169, 689 by thoria, 716 by titania, 767 et seq. by zinc chloride, 698 Dehydroacetic acid formed, 387 Dehydrogenation, 15, 63&-6S6, 807-809, 824, 910, 921 of alcohols, 31, 650-679 by aluminum chloride, 685 of amines, 681, 682 of anthracene hydrides, 642 apparatus, 654 by cadmium oxide, 674 by carbon, 679 catalysts, 636-338, 651, 675, 702, 824 classification, 638 by cobalt, 666 by copper, 653-663 in cracking, 910 of cyclohexane comps., 641 history of, 636 of hydro-aromatic hydrocarb., 640- 649 of hydrocarbons, 639-649, 921 of hydrocyclic hydrocarbons, 640 et aeq. by iron, 667 by manganous oxide, 672 of methyl alcohol, 676 of naphthalene hydrides, 642 by nickel, 664, 684 378 SUBJECT INDEX by oxides, 672-675, 686 by palladium, 649, 669 of piperidine, 647 by platinum, 668 of poly-alcohols, 680 of second, amines, 682 by stannous oxide, 673 of terpenes, 643 et seq. of tertiary amines, 682 theory of, 168 by various oxides, 675 by zinc, 670 Dehydromucic acid, 727 Dekalin, 481n Depolymerization, 234, 235 Desoxybenzoine hydrogenated, 389 Dextrine by hydrolysis, 326 hydrolyzed, 323, 326 Diacetonitrile, 230 Diacetonyl alcohol dehydrated, 698, 699 Diacetyl hydrogenated, 438 Diacetyl-dihydromorphine, 555 Diacetyl-morphine hydrogenated, Pd 555, Pt 561 Diamines by hydrogenation, 380 Diamylene formed, 210, 211 Diastase, 758 Diazoacetic ester, 12 Diazobenzene, 59, 206, 606, 607 Diazo-compounds decomp., 59, 606-610 hydrogenated, 497 Dibasic acid chlorides in F. and C. syn., 893 Dibasic acids decomposed, 855 esters of dec., 872-874 Dibenzal-acetone, 798 Dibenzoyl hydrogenated, 391 Dibenzyl hydrogenated, 452, 589 by hydrogenation, 389, 391, 415, 548, 590, 593 Dibenzyl-acetone, 547 Dibenzyl-amine, 428, 734 Dibenzyl-aniline, 729 Dibenzyl-benzene, 728 Dibenzylidene-acetone hydrogenated, 547 Dibenzyl ketone hydrogenated, 455 Dibromethylene in F. and C. syn, 890 Dibrom-succinic acid, 182 Dibutyl ketone, 844 Dichloracetyl chloride dec., 625 Dichlorbenzenes, 404 Dichlorcyclohexane dec., 876 Dichlorethylene, 242 Dicyanamide formed, 233 Dicyanides hydrogenated, 429 Dicyclohexyl, 452, 475, 589 Dicyclohexyl-amine, 466, 469, 497, 569, 590, 642, 739 by hydrogenation, 385, 739 Dicyclohexyl-butanes, 452 Dicyclohexyl-ethanes, 452, 589 Dicyclohexyl-methane, 389, 453, 560 Dicyclohexyl-phenyl-methane, 453 Dicyclohexyl-propane, 455 Dicyclononane, 454 Diethyl-allylene formed, 50, 192 Diethyl-amine by hydrogenation, 377, 383, 386, 427 Diethyl-amine. HC1 catalyst, 783 Diethyl-aniline dec. Ni, 634 formed, 729 hydrogenated, 468 Diethyl-benzene, 888, 930 Diethyl-carbinol into amine, 735 Diethyl-diphenyl formed, 241 Diethylene compounds hydrogenated, 547 Diethylenic acids, 937 Diethyl ketone formed, 838 hydrogenated, 435, 567 Diethyl-phenol hydrogenated, 459 Dihalogen compounds in F. and C. syn., 890 Diheptene, 519 Dihexahydrobenzyl-amine, 470 Dihydrobenzene, 723, 876 Dihydrobrucine, 555 Dihydrocamphene, 570 Dihydrocamphorone, hydrogenated, 390 by hydrogenation, 421 Dihydrocinchonidine, 555 Dihydrocitronellol by hydrogenation, 416 Dihydrocodeine, 572 Dihydro-dimethyl-anthracene, 890 Dihydro-eugenol, 577 Dihydro-indol, 571 Dihydro-ionones, 554 Dihydrolimonene, 517, 591 Dihydromorphine by hydrogenation, 572 SUBJECT INDEX 379 by oxidation, 268 Dihydronaphthalene, 571, 931 Dihydrophytol, 565 Dihydroquinine, 572 Dihydropinene, 477, 570 Dihydrophenanthrene, 484, 571, 592 Dihydrophorone, 547 Dihydrosafrol, 418, 565, 590 Dihydrostrychnine, 555 Dihydrotetrazines isom., 201 Dihydroxy-acetone, 237, 246, 268 Dihydroxy-diphenyl-amine, 632 Di-isoamyl-amine, 682, 733 Di-isobutyl-carbinol, 549, 567 Di-isobutyl ketone, 435, 567, 840 hydrogenated, 435 Di-isopropyl-amine, 735 Di-isopropyl-benzene from cymene, 930 Di-isopropyl ketone formed, 844 hydrogenated, 435 Diketones by dehydrogenation, 663 by F. and C. syn., 893 hydrogenated, 391, 438-440 Dimethyl-acetylene formed, 192 Dimethyl-acrylic acid hydrogenated, 417 Dimethyl-allene formed, 192 Dimethyl-allyl-carbinol hydrogenated, 587 Dimethyl-amine, 377, 430 Dimethyl-aniline, 468, 729, 740 dec. Ni, 634 oxidised, 256 Dimethyl-benzaldehyde, 298 Dimethyl-butadiene, 726 Dimethyl-butyl-phenol, 459 Dimethyl-cyclohexane, 197, 449, 475, 480 dehydrogenated, Ni 641 Dimethyl-cyclohexanols, 458, 660, 714 Dimethyl-cyclohexene by dehydration 714 hydrogenated, 475 Dimethyl-cyclohexyl-amine, 467 Dimethyl-cyclopentyl-pentanones, 436 Dimethyl-diethyl-butine-diol, 548 Dimethyl-diphenyl-butine-diol, 548, 566 Dimethyl-diphenyl-methane hydrogen- ated, 452 Dimethyl-ethyl-carbinol esterified, 757 formed, 210, 306 Dimethylene-pentane hydrogenated, 414 Dimethyl-heptane by hydrogenation, 414 Dimethyl-hexine hydrogenated Pd, 548 Dimethyl-hexine-diol hydrogenated, 566 Dimethyl-indol, 490, 633 Dimethyl-isobutyl-cyclohexane, 449 Dime thy 1-ketazine isom., 196 Dimethyl-methylene-cyclopropane hy- drog., 472 Dimethyl-octane, 415, 567 Dimethyl-octanol, 416, 567 Dimethyl-octadieneol, 416 Dimethyl-octatriene hydrogenated, 415 Dimethyl-octene-diol hydrogenated, 548 Dimethyl-pentane-thiol, 745 Dimethyl-phenols hydrogenated, 458 Dimethyl-propyl-carbinol, 587 Dimethyl-quinoline, 491 Dimethyl-toluidines, 684, 740 Dinaphthyl dehydrogenated, 685 Dinaphthyl-amine, 632 Dinitrobenzenes, 269n, 512 Dinitro-compounds hydrogenated, 380 Dinitro-toluenes hydrogenated, 380 Dipentene depolymerized, 235 formed, 198 Diphenols, ethers of syn., 904 reduced, 370 Diphenyl formed, 907 in F.and C. syn., 896 hydrogenated, 452, 589 by hydrogenation, 403, 406 Diphenyl-amine from aniline, 466 by dehydration, 642 hydrogenated, 469, 590 stabilizer, 13 sulphurized, 296 syn. of, 901 Diphenyl-anthrone syn. of, 893 Diphenyl-benzene formed, 907 Diphenyl-butadione by F. and C. syn., 893 Diphenyl-butanes by hydrogenation, 520, 548 hydrogenated, 452 Diphenyl-butadiene, 548 Diphenyl-butenes hydrogenated, 415 Diphenyl-butine-diol hydrogenated, 548 Diphenyl-cyclopropane, 611 Diphenyl-decadiene hydrogenated, 545 380 SUBJECT INDEX Diphenyl-decane, 546 Diphenyl-diacetylene hydrogenated, 548 Diphenylene oxides, 787 Diphenyl-ethanes formed, 241, 728, 890 by hydrogenation, 391, 415, 721, 728 hydrogenated, 452 Diphenyl-ethylene formed, 890 hydrogenated, 415, 515 Diphenyl-methane, 369, 389, 523, 538, 539, 590, 662, 720, 728, 806 Diphenyl-pentanes hydrogenated, 452 Diphenyl-pentens hydrogenated, 415 Diphenyl-propane formed, 728 by hydrogenation, 389, 415 hydrogenated, 452 Diphenyl-propenes hydrogenated, 415 Diphenyl sulphide, 629 Diphenyl thio-urea, 630 Diphenyl-pyrazoline dec., 612 Diphenyl urea, 495 Diphthalid formed, 107 Dipiperonal-acetone hydrogenated, 565 Dipropionic nitrile, 231 Dipropyl-amine, 427, 733 Dipropyl-carbinol into amine, 735 Dipropyl ketone formed, 843 hydrogenated, Ft 567 Dipropylene polym., 213 Divinyl polym., 213 Dodecahydro-anthracene by hydrogena- tion, 29, 363 Dodecahydro-phenanthrenedehydrogen- ated, 642, 646 by hydrogenation, 484 Doremol hydrogenated, Pt 570 Doremone hydrogenated, Pt 570 Drying hydrogen for hydrogenation, 949 Drying oils, 266 Dulcite, 588, 595 Duodecene polym., 210 Duratol, 967 Durene hydrogenated, Pt 569 Egg lecithine hydrogenated, Pd 555 Elaidic acid formed, 82, 184 esters of, 937 hydrogenated, 422 into ketone, 843 Electric heating, 349 Electrolytic dissociation, 175 Elimination of ammonia, 631-633 of aniline, 634 of carbon, 613 of carbon monoxide, 618-625 of halogens, 605 of hydrogen sulphide, 626-629 of nitrogen, 606-610 Ellis's apparatus, 962 Emulsine, 18, 327, 329 Enzymes, 180s Equilibrium in alcoholysis, 340n shifted, 180s Erdmann's apparatus, 958 Erucic acid, 184 esters of, 937 Erythrol formed, 83 Esterification, 747-778 by acid anhydrides, 761 of benzoic acid, 758 by beryllia, 778 catalytic, 17, 747-778 of formic acid, 773 in gas phase, 762-777 of glycerine, 760 limits, 21, 750-752, 767-770 in liquid phase, 748-761 mass law, 770 rates, 775 theory of, 177, 752, 763 by titania, 767 velocity, 747, 774, 777 Esters from aldehydes, 226-228 with ammonia, 871 as catalysts, 104 condensed, 803 decomposed, 180n, 858-874 formed, 75, 170, 175, 226-228 hydrogenated, 417 hydrolyzed, 83, 170, 313-316, 319, 321, 337 saponified, 175, 305, 337 Ethane, 423, 518, 526, 527, 546, 558, 601, 605, 620, 631, 665, 709 from acetylene, 26, 914 decomp by heat, 911 decomp. by Mg, 920 from ethylene, 912 formed, 409 by hydrogenation, 26, 342, 377, 412, 413, 912, 914 Ether cond. with benzene, 817 SUBJECT INDEX 381 decomp., 180m, 338 formed, 169, 1800, 690, 764, 872 in Grignard reagent, 6 oxidised, 254 process, 159, 691 Ethers, catalysts, 104 decomp., 180m, 321, 338, 494 formed, 169, 690, 764, 872 hydrogenated, 418 Ethoxy-cyclohexane, 464 Ethyl acetate from aldehyde, 228 catalyst, 304, 605 decomp., ISO/, 18(K, 180n, 858, 861, 861n, 871 formed, 228, 407, 749 hydrolyzed, 313, 316, 319 neg. cat., 11, 303 Ethyl acetoacetate hydrogenated, 387 Ethyl-acetylene, 192 Ethyl alcohol, 680, 742 into acetal, 780, 783 into acetol, 783 into amines, 732 catalytic solvent, 38 decomposed, 650, 679 dehydrated, 688, 691, 694, 696, 700, 702, 709, 713, 716-719 dehydrogenated, 538, 656, 667, CdO 674, MnO 672, Ni 664, Pt 668, SnO 673, Zn 670 esterified, 750, 770, 771, 773 hydrogenation agent, 538 oxidised, 150, 1806, 249, 254, 257, 260, 268 Ethyl adipate dec., 874 Ethyl-am ine cat. prep., 732 con. agent, 804 dec. by Ni, 631 hydrochloride catalyst, 783 by hydrogenation, 377, 382, 386, 510 oxidised, 256, 268 Ethyl-aniline dec., 634 hydrogenated, 468 prep., 729 Ethyl-benzene, 451, 516, 520, 538, 539, 546, 548, 560, 641, 657, 728 decomp., 888, 930 formed, 362, 369, 389, 415, 817, 888, 890 hydrogenated, 362, 448, 534 by hydrogenation, 362, 369, 389, 415 Ethyl benzoate, 744n, 749, 754, 755, 766 dec., 858, 864, 871 hydrolyzed, 316, 319 Ethyl bromide formed, 104 Ethyl bromacetate reduced, 407 Ethyl-tert-butyl-benzene, 389 Ethyl-tert-butyl ether, 691 Ethyl butyrate dec., 858 by hydrogenation, 387 Ethyl caproate dec., 861, 862 Ethyl carbylamine hydrogenated, 430 Ethyl chloracetate red., 407 Ethyl chloride chlorinated, 282 by F. and C. reaction, 888 Ethyl cinnamate hydrogenated, 601 Ethyl cyanide catalyst, 108, 605 hydrogenated, 427 Ethyl-cyclohexane dehydrogenated, Ni 641 by hydrogenation, 362, 448, 451, 452, 455, 516, 520, 568, 569 Ethyl-cyclopropane, 193 Ethyl-diphenyl formed, 241 Ethylene, 423, 527, 548, 620, 626, 631, 634, 650, 670, 686, 689, 691, 696, 700, 708, 709, 713, 716, 726, 732, 864, 871 cond. with benzene, 241 cond. by sulphuric acid, 159 dec., 637, 912, 920, Co 912, Fe 912, Mg 920, Ni 413, Pt 912 formed, 78, 1800, 873, 914 hydrogenated, Co 500, Cu 515, Ni 413, 601, Pd 546, Pt 526, 558 manufacture, 180A, 689n, 71 7n oxidised, 1806 polymerized, 211 preparation, 696n Ethylene bonds hydrogenated, 939 Ethylene compounds hydrated, 306 hydrogenated, 412-422, 587, Co 500, Cu 515, 594, Fe 506, Ni 601, Pd 546, 577, Pt 526, 558, 565 Ethylene chloride in F. and C. syn., 890 cyanide hydrogenated, 429 Ethylene hydrocarbons formed, 48, 86, 681, 682 in F. and C. syn., 90, 241 hydrogenated, Co 500, Cu 515, Fe 506 polymerized, 210 Ethylene oxides hydrogenated, 443 382 SUBJECT INDEX isomerized, 200 Ethylenic acids, 937 Ethylenic chlorides, 243 Ethyl ether, 694, 689, 713 cat., 605 formed, 873 hydrogenated, 494 prepared, 691 Ethyl formate, 773, 866 dec., 866 hydrolyzed, 316 Ethyl glutarate dec., 874 Ethyl hexahydrobenzoate, 471, 476 Ethylidene chloride in F. and C. syn., 890 Ethyl iodide cat., 299 in Grignard reaction, 302 in syn., 605, 901 Ethyl-isoamyl-amine, 738 Ethyl-isoamyl ether, 691 Ethyl-isobutyl ether, 691 Ethyl isobutyrate, 316, 319 Ethyl isovalerate, 417 Ethyl malonate dec., 783 Ethyl mercaptan, 626, 744 Ethyl-methyl-hexene hydrogenated, 414 Ethyl-naphthalenes by hydrogenation, 390 Ethyl naphthoates to nitriles, 871 Ethyl nitrate cond., 819 Ethyl nitrite as cat., 104, 207 hydrogenated, 382 Ethyl oleate hydrogenated, 565 Ethyl ortho-formate, 783 Ethyl oxalate as cat., 104 dec., 873 Ethyl phenyl-acetate dec., 871 Ethyl-phenyl carbinol, 728 Ethyl-phenyl ether, 789 Ethyl propionate dec., 858 Ethyl-propyl ether, 691 Ethyl-pyridines syn., 901 Ethyl-pyrrol, 742 Ethyl stearate dec., 858 by hydrogenation, 565 Ethyl succinate dec., 873, 874 Ethyl sulphide, 626 Ethyl terephthalate, 590 Ethyl tetrahydrobenzoate, 476 Ethyl toluate, 590 Ethyl-toluidines, 489 Ethyl-trimethylene hydrogenated, 472 by hydrogenation, 577 Ethyl valerate dec., 864 sapon., 316, 319 Ethyl vanilline hydrogenated, 568 Eucalyptol dehydrogenated, 645 Eucarvone hydrogenated, 552 Eudesmene hydrogenated, 570 Eugenol hydrogenated, Ni 590, 603, Pd 577, Pt 565, 569 isom., 191 Eugenol methyl ether hydrogenated, 590 Fairco, 967n Farnesol hydrogenated, 570 Fats alcoholized, 341 hydrogenated, 542, 937-969 saponified, 314, 317 Fatty acids, effect on Ni, 948 by hydrol., 314, 315, 318 Fenchane, 611, 722 Fenchone, 611 Fenchyl alcohol dehydrated, 722 Ferments, soluble, 18 Ferric chloride acetal cat., 781, 783 catalyst, 687, 843, 849, 878 chlorination cat., 285, 285n cond. cat., 902 in F. and C. syn., 899, 900 Ferric oxide dehydrogenation cat., 677, 686 ketone cat., 843, 849 mixed cat., 702 Ferric sulphate cat., 725 Ferrous carbonate chlorination cat., 285 Ferrous chloride cat., 876, 954 in F. and C. syn., 899 Ferrous oxide cat., 180j, 827 ketone cat., 843, 849 Ferulene hydrogenated, 570 Fibrine cat., 110 Fish oils, effect on cat., 947 hydrogenated, 939, 967n Fittig syn., 11, Flake white, 967n Fluorides cats., 841 Fluorene by dehydrogenation, 642 in F. and C. syn., 896 hydrogenated, 454 Formaldehyde, 73, 236, 562, 656, 664, 672, 674, 676, 678, 821, 825, 826, 851, 870 SUBJECT INDEX 383 catalyst, 269n dec., Cu 621, Fe 2 O 8 677, Pd 623 into ester, 225, 228 formed, 866, 871 hydrogenated, 432 by oxidation, 249, 252-254, 256 with phenols, 792 preparation, 249, 252-254 into sugars, 221 Formates, 851 Formic acid, 64, 621, 839, 851, 852, 855, 866 decomp., 99, 143, 172, 1800, 624, 820- 828 esterified, 773 hydrogenating agent, 537, 539, 604 by oxidation, 249 oxidised, 246 syn. of, 574 toxic to Pt black, 117 Formic esters dec., 624, 866-870 Form of metals, 41, 53-55, 76-80 Formyl chloride, 298 Fouling of catalysts, 118-120, 122, 932 Friedel and Crafts synthesis, 33, 87-89, 157, 173, 174, 241, 241n, 297, 298, 883-900 catalysts for, 899, 900 catalytic nature of, 898 complications, 885 cyclic compounds, 896-898 with diphenyl, 889 with ethylene hydrocarb., 241 isomerizations in, 888 of ketones, 891-894 mechanism of, 898 method of operating, 884, 892 with naphthalene, 889 results of, 889 reversed, 887 Fructose, 186, 324 Fumaric acid esterified, 756 esters from maleic, 182 hydrogenated, Pd 546 isom., 182 from maleic, 182 Furfural cond., 686 decom., Ni 620 formed, 727 hydrogenated, 434 oxidised, 268 Furfurane, 620 Furfurane-dicarbonic acid, 727 Furfurane rings, 727 Furfurome formed, 220 Furfuryl alcohol, 371, 434 Furfuryl-ethyl carbinol hydrogenated, 487 Gaidic acid formed, 184 Galactobiose, 18 Galactose, 18, 186, 188 hydrogenated, Ni 588, Pd 595 by oxidation, 268 Galician petroleum, 927 Galtose formed, 186 Gases condensed by metal powders, 135 in porous bodies, 131, 132, 134 Gases from cracking, 909 Gasoline by cracking, 906, 932-936 Geometrical isomers, 182 Geraniol dehydrogenated, 658 hydrogenated, Ni 416, 601, Pd 595, Pt 565 Glass powder as cat., 811, 827, 828 Gluconic acid, 187 Glucose hydrogenated, Ni 588, Pd 595 by hydrolysis, 324-329 isomerized, 186 multirotation of, 188 Glucosides dec., 18, 175 hydrolyzed, 305, 327-330 syn., 15, 18, 793 Glutaryl chloride in F. and C. syn., 893 Gly eerie aldehyde cond., 237 formed, 236, 246, 268, 680 by oxidation, 268 Glycerides saturated, 939 Glycerine acetylated, 89 by alcoholysis, 340, 341 dec. to formic acid, 855 dehydrated, 725 dehydrogenated, 680 esterified, 757, 760, 761 esters of, 340, 937 by hydrolysis, 314, 318 oxidised, 246, 249 Glycol dehydrated, 724 oxidised, 249, 268 Glycolic acid esterified, 756 Glycolic aldehyde by oxid., 249, 268 Glyoxal by oxid., 249, 268 384 SUBJECT INDEX Gold, absorption of O 2 by, 137 catalyst, 66 colloid, 70, 72 dehydrogenation cat., 637 oxidation cat., 252, 254 Gold chloride, chlorination cat., 283 Goose fat, 938 Graphite catalyst, 702, 717, 911 formation, 180a Grease cat. poison, 180o Greenwich gas works, 373 Grignard reaction, 44, 104, 300-302 Guaiacol hydrogenated, Ni 589 Gulose, 186 Gum arabic, 546, 561 Gunpowder dec., 8 Halides, 300 Halogenated alcohols dec., 876 Halogens eliminated by hydrogenation, 403-407, 545, 605 toxic to catalysts, 112-114 Hardened oils as foods, 967n, 969 trade names of, 967 Hardening of fats, 577 of oils, 937-969 Heavy hydrocarbons cracked, 932 by cracking, 906, 936 Heavy oils by cracking, 906, 936 Helicine hydrolyzed, 328 Helleborine, 330 Heptachlorpropane decom., 879, 357 formed, 242, 625, 903 Heptachlortoluene formed, 287 Hepta-isobutanal formed, 224 Heptaldehyde cond., 795 crotonized, 795 hydrogenated, 559 prepared, 853 Heptaldoxime hydrogenated, 383 Heptamethylene ring hydrogenated, 479 Heptane by cracking, 936 by hydrogenation, 519 Heptane-thiol, 745 Heptane hydrated, 306, 519 Heptine hydrogenated, 425, 519 Heptoic acid into aldehyde, 853 into ketone, 845 Heptoic aldehyde, 664 Heptyl alcohol dehydrogenated, 664 by hydrogenation, 559 Heptyl-amine by hydrogenation, 383 Heterogeneous systems, 7, 34 Hexachlorbenzene, 284 Hexachlorethane, 289 Hexachlorpropane, 242 Hexachlortoluene, 287 Hexadienal, 796, 801 Hexahydro-acetophenone, 476 Hexahydro-anisol, 589 Hexahydro-anthrone hydrogenated, 390 Hexahydro-benzoic acid, 471, 476, 551, 560, 569, 590 dehydrogenated, 649 esters of, 471, 649 Hexahydro-benzyl-amine, 470 Hexahydro-benzyl-aniline, 560 Hexahydro-carvacrol, 459 Hexahydro-cinchonine, 561 Hexahydro-cymene, 465, 478 Hexahydro-durene hydrogenated, 569 Hexahydro-guaiacol, 589 Hexahydro-indoline, 485 Hexahydro-naphthalid, 563 Hexahydro-phenanthrene, 484 dehydrogenated, 642 Hexahydro-phenylacetic acid, 476 Hexahydro-phthalic acid, 563, 590 Hexahydro-phthalid, 563 Hexahydro-phthalimide, 569 Hexahydro-terephthalic acid, 648 Hexahydro-toluene, 581 Hexahydro-toluic acids, 471, 563 Hexahydroxy-anthraquinone, 274 Hexahydroxy-benzene hydrogenated, 578 Hexa-isobutanal formed, 224 Hexamethyl-benzene decom., 887 formed, 212, 691 Hexamethylene hydrocarbons dehydro- genated, 649 hydrogenated, 475 Hexamethylene-tetramine cond., 792 hydrogenated, 496 Hexane from acetylene, 211 by cracking, 936 decom., 920 formed, 664, 665 by hydrogenation, 414 as solvent, 38 Hexaphenyl-cyclohexane, 880, 916 Hexene hydrated, 306 hydrogenated, 414, 515 SUBJECT INDEX 385 Hexites, 595 Hexose from HCHO, 221 Hexyl alcohol, 801 Hexyl-benzene hydrogenated, 569 Hexyl cyanide, 814 High pressure in catalysis, 541 History of catalysis, 4 Hofmann's reaction, 901 Hog lard, 938 Homogeneous catalysis, 5, 144 Hydration, 305-312, 305-339 of acetylene comps., 308 of ethylene comps., 306, 307 in gas phase, 337-339 of imides, 311 in liquid medium, 313-331 mechanism of, 308 of nitriles, 311 Hydrazine compounds decom., 611 Hydrazobenzene, 202, 531, 554 Hydrazo compounds hydrogenated, 600 Hydrazones decom., 611 Hydrindene, hydrogenated, 454 Hydrindone cond., 799 Hydro-aromatic hydrocarbons, 424, 444 dehydrogenated, 640-649 Hydrobenzamide, 194 Hydrobromic acid elim., 901 Hydrocarbons from acetylene, 925 from acids, 829-836, 839 from alcohol + aldehyde, 784 condensed, 241, 905-936 decom., 87, 493, 905-936 decom. in H 2 , 924 dehydrogenated, 639-649 hydrogenated, 413, 444-454, 472 et seq. 481^85, 493, 500-502, 506, 515-518, 526, 527, 534, 565, 566, 569, 570, 577, 601 formed, 695-727, 784-815, 829-836, 839, 925 oxidised, 254, 259 polym.,84 Hydrocarvols, 476 Hydrochloric acid cat. acetals, 782 cond. agt., 730, 782, 792, 799, 803-805 dehydration cat., 687, 795 in esterif., 748-750, 754-757 in hydration, 307 toxic to cats., 116 Hydrocinnamic esters hydrogenated, 471 Hydrocyanic acid hydrogenated, 342, 528 by hydrolysis, 329 polym., 230 stabilized, 11 toxic to cats., 116 Hydrocyclic hydrocarb. dec., 921 Hydrogen abs. by Co, 136, by Pd 165, by Pt 136 elim. from hydrocarb., 905 generator, 346 for hydrogenation, 953 influence in dec. hydroc., 924 from iron, 954 manufacture, 953, 954 occluded by Co, 136, by Pd 165, by Pt 136, 166 purification of, 346 rate of production from Fe, 954 from water gas, 953 Hydrogenation, 15, 65, 111, 115, 121, 138, 165, 342-407, 408-497, 498- 540, 541-583, 563n, 584-604, 721, 923, 931, 932, 937-969 of acetylene, 501, 506 of acetylene comps., 423 et seq., 518, 527, 566, 577 of acid chlorides, 575 of acids, 422, 471 of acridine, 491 by alcohol vapors, 537, 538 of alcohols, 369, 416, 465 of aldehydes, 388, 419, 432, 433, 503, 522, 532, 567, 588, 602 of aliphatic aldehydes, 432, 532 of aliphatic amides, 386 of aliphatic ketones, 532 of aliphatic nitriles, 427 of aliphatic nitro comps., 377 of alkaloids, 555 of amides, 386 of amines, 466, 496 of anhydrides, 392 of anthracene nucleus, 483 apparatus, 345-357, 543, 584-585, 597 et seq., 957-964 of aromatic acids, 471 of aromat. ales., 369, 465 of aromat. aids., 388, 433 of aromat. amines, 466 of aromat. diketones, 391 386 SUBJECT INDEX of aromat. halogen comps., 403 of aromat. hydrocarb. 466 et seq., 502 of aromat. ketones, 389, 455 of aromat. nitriles, 428 of aromat. nitro comps., 378 of aromat. nucleus, 444 et seq., 534, 569, 589 of benzene and homologs, 466 et seq., 502 of carbazol, 490 of carbon 525 of carbonates to formates, 574 of carbon dioxide, 395, 504, 508 of carbon disulphide, 372, 492 of carbon monoxide, 393 by carbon monoxide and hydrogen, 537 by cobalt, 499-504 by colloidal Pd, 545-555 by colloidal Pt, 556 of complex rings, 571 by copper, 507, 523, 594 of cyclic comps., 578 with dehydration, 721, 722 of diazo comps., 497 of dicyanides, 429 of diketones, 438 of esters, 417 of ethers, 418, 494 of ethyl acetoacetate, 387 of ethylene comps., 500, 506, 515, 526, 565, 577, 601 of ethylene hydrocarb., 500, 506, 515 of ethylene oxides, 443 by formic acid, 537, 539 of furfuryl alcohol, 371 furnace for, 347, 348 in gas system, 366-407 of halogen comps., 403 et seq. of heptamethylene ring, 479 of hexamethylene ring, 475 history of, 342-344, 542, 939 of hydrocarbons, 413, 493, 499 et seq. hydrocyanic acid, 528 of indol, 497 by iron, 505, 506, 593 of isocyanides, 431 of keto-acids, 437 of ketones, 389 et seq., 420, 435 et seq. 441, 455, 503, 522, 532, 567, 588, 602 of liquid fats, 937-969 in liquids, 350-352, 541 et seq., 584 et seq., 596-603 % in manuf . of ill. gas, 397 et seq. methods, 343 et seq., 544, 562, 573, 584, 596, 597, 599, 604 of naphthalene nucleus, 481, 931 by nascent hydrogen, 537 of nitriles, 427, 428, 521 of nitro comps., 377, 378, 509, 529, 564, 576, 600 of nitrous esters, 513 of nitrous oxide, 368 of octomethylene ring, 480 of oxides of carbon, 504 by oxides of metals, 598, 943 of oxides of N, 374 of oximes, 283, 514 by palladium, 536, 544-555, 573-578 by palladium black, 573-578 of pentamethylene ring, 474 of phenanthrene nucleus, 484 of phenol ethers, 464, 494 of phenols, 370, 456 of phenyl isocyanate, 495 by platinum, 524-535, 550-571 by platinum black, 562-572 of polycyclic hydrocarbons, 452 of polymethylene rings, 535 of polyphenols, 370, 460 products, 355, 356, 965 of pyridine, 486 of pyromucic aid., 434 of pyrrol, 486 of quinoline, 488 of quinones, 442 removes odors, 939 results of, 355, 356, 965 of solids, 353 temperatures for, 599 of terpenes, 477, 570, 591 of tetramethylene ring, 473 theory of, 167, 365 of trimethylene ring, 472 by various metals, 580, 595 of various rings, 472 et seq., 571, 592, 603 Hydrogen halides elim., 875-903 Hydrogen ions in hydrol, 82, 313, 324 Hydrogen peroxide decom., 2, 32, 38, 83, 160, 180a SUBJECT INDEX 387 with chromic acid, 147 oxidising agt., 268 with permanganate, 148 stabilized, 11, 13 Hydrogen persulphides, 83 Hydrogen selenide decom., 8 Hydrogen sulphide, 686, 743, 791, 810, 924, 947 with alcohols, 743 with aldehydes, 810 elim., 626-629 isom. agt., 182 toxic to cats., 1800, 598, 947 Hydroiodic acid cat., 82, 183 decom. limit, 15, 20 formation, 342 isom. cat., 182 Hydrolecithin, 555 Hydrolysis, 82, 175-178, 305, 313-336 of acetals, 322 by acids, 313 of amides, 331 by bases, 318 of carbon disulphide, 339 of esters, 313-319, 337 of ethers, 321, 338 in gas system, 337-339 of glucosides, 327 of halogen comps., 320 of polysaccharides, 323 Hydropivalic acid esterif., 227 Hydroquinine, 604 Hydroquinone by hydrogenation, 442 reduced, 370, 461, 589 Hydroxy-acids esterif., 756 Hydroxy-anthraquinones by oxidation, 274 Hydroxy-benzoic acid hydrogenated, 569 Hydroxy-butyric aldehyde formed, 307 Hydroxy-cyclohexanes dehydrated, 642 Hydroxy-esters dehydrogenated, 663 Hydroxy-isoheptoic acid, 663 Hydroxylamine by hydrol., 332 Hydroxyl group elim., 465 introduced, 269 Hydroxy-methylene comps. hydrogen- ated, 550 Hydroxy-stearic acid formed, 306 toxic to cats., 115 Hypochlorites as oxidising agents, 270 Hypogaelc acid, 184 esters of, 937 Illuminating gas by hydrogenation, 397- 402 freed from CS 2 , 372 manufacture, 397-402 purification, 339, 372 Imbibition of liquids by porous sub., 133 Imides, 305, 312 Indene polym., 217 Indose, 186 Indigo hydrogenated, 165, 603 Indigotine hydrogenated, 603 Indigo white, 165, 603 Indol, 684 hydrogenated, 497, 571 Indols cond., 803 formed, 89, 91, 633 Induced catalysis, 149 oxidations, 244 Influence of solvents, 38-40 Infra-red radiation as cat., 180j Infusorial earth as carrier, 126, 587n, 598, 941 Inosite, 578 Intermediate comps. in cat., 151-158, 163-173, 179, 180, 752, 763, 859- 864, 866, 872, 878, 898, 916 in esterif., 752, 763 in F. and C. syn., 898 in oxidation, 258, 541, 677 Inversion of reactions, 14 of sugar, 32, 324 Iodides cats., 84 lodination, 294 Iodine absorbed, 938 bromination cat., 291 catalyst, 6, 33, 43, 156, 278, 299, 632 chlorination cat., 156, 278n, 287 Iodine dehydration cat., 699, 729, 790 elim., 406, 605 isom. cat., 182 sulphonation cat., 296, 815, 815n toxic to cats., 116, 359 Iodine numbers, 938, 955 of hardened oils, 967, 967n in hydrogenation, 966 Iodine trichloride catalyst, 44, 85, 156 chlorination cat., 85, 278 388 SUBJECT INDEX lodobenzene reduced, 406 in syn., 904 lonones formed, 198 hydrogenated, 554, 560 Ions in hydrolysis, 305 Indium black, 582 catalyst, 64 colloidal oxid. cat., 251 Iron, bromination cat., 293 catalyst, 167, 180r-180w, 320, 344, 505, 506, 540, 683 catalyst, prep, of, 58 chlorination cat., 278n, 285, 285n cracking cat., 906, 910, 911, 932 dec. C 2 H 2 , 913, 915, 920, 928 dec. alcohols, 667 dec. aromat. hydrocarb., 921 dec. CO, 615 dec. ethylene, 912 dec. pinene, 922 dehydrogenation cat., 637, 651, 652, 667 in drying oils, 266 harmful in hydrogenation, 115 hydrogenation cat., 344, 505, 506, 593, 945 in hydrolysis of benzalchloride, 320 influence on Pd, 946 method for prep, of hydrogen, 953, 954 Iron benzoate, 320 Iron borate cat., 265 Iron bromide, bromination cat., 240, 293 Iron chloride, bromination cat., 293 chlorination cat., 283 cracking cat., 936 in F. and C. syn., 88 halogenation cat., 88 hydration cat., 310 polym. cat., 216 prep, acetals, 88 Iron compounds cats., 269n Iron hydroxide oxid. cat., 150 Iron oxides cat., 6, 75, 100, 260, 285, 310, 320 dehydration cat., 702 hydration cat., 310 ketone cat., 843, 849 oxidation cat., 257-259 prep., 77 Iron powder cat., 320 Iron retorts in cracking, 934 Iron salts oxid. cat., 268, 271, 277, 320 reduced, Pd 165 Iron scale cat., 285 Iron sesquioxide chlorination cat., 285 Iron sulphate chlorination cat., 285 oxidation cat., 272, 275 Iron sulphide chlorination cat., 284 Isoamyl acetate dec., 871 Isoamyl alcohol into amines, 733, 740, 741 dehydrated, 691, 696, 713, 715, 717, 719 dehydrogenated, 656, 664, 672 esterified, 771, 773 oxidised, 254, 268 Isoamyl amine from alcohol, 733 catalyst, 836 dehydrogenated, 681 by hydrogenation, 382 Isoamyl benzoate, 766 Isoamyl-carbinol hydrogenated, 570 Isoamyl cyanide hydrogenated, 427 Isoamyl ether, 691 Isoamyl formate, 773 Isoamyl hexahydrobenzoate, 471 Isoamyl malonate dec., 873 Isoamyl mercaptan, 626, 744, 746 Isoamyl nitrite hydrogenated, 382 Isoamyl oxalate dec., 873 Isoamyl-phenyl ether, 789 Isoamyl-piperidine, 741 Isoamyl succinate dec., 873 Isoamyl sulphide, 626 Isobutane, 472 Isobutyl acetate dec., 861, 862 Isobutyl alcohol into acetal, 780 from aldehyde, 226 dehydrated, 691, 696, 700, 713, 715- 717 dehydrogenated, 656, 670 esterified, 771, 776 oxidised, 249, 254, 268 Isobutyl-amine by hydrogenation, 382 Isobutyl benzoate, 766 Isobutyl bromide isom., 200 Isobutyl chloride dec., 878, 881 in F. and C. syn., 900 Isobutyl cyanide, 681, 682 Isobutylene formed, 142, 713, 878 hydrated, 306 SUBJECT INDEX 389 Isobutyl ether, 691 Isobutyl hexahydrobenzoate, 471 Isobutyl-isoamyl-amine, 738 Isobutyl isobutyrate from aid., 226 Isobutyl malonate dec., 873 Isobutyl mercaptan, 744 Isobutyl nitrite hydrogenated, 382 Isobutyl oxalate dec., 873 Isobutyl succinate dec., 873 Isobutyric acid from aid., 226 dec., 839 esterif., 770, 771, 775, 776 into ketone, 840, 842-845 Isobutyric aldehyde from ale., 670 cond., 808 crotonized, 795 into ester, 226 hydrogenated, 432, 588, 593 by oxidation, 249 phenylhydrazone dec., 635 polymerized, 224 Isobutyryl chloride, 813 Isocamphane, 591, 722 Isocrotonic acid hydrogenated, Pd 546 Isocyanates from diazo, 610 hydrogenated, 431 Isocyanides hydrogenated, 431 Isocyanic esters hydrol., 334 Isodulcite by hydrol., 328 Isoeugenol formed, 191 hydrogenated, Ni 590 oxidised, 249 Isoheptoic aldehyde, 635 Isomerizations, 181-208 of alkyl halides, 876 in F. and C. syn., 888 Iso-oleic acid hydrated, 306 Iso-oximes formed, 205 Isopentane, 681 by hydrogenation, 414, 420, 472 Isopentene isom., 190 Isoprene formed, 235, 723, 802, 909 polym., 50, 106, 213, 214 Isopropyl-acetylene, 192 Isopropyl alcohol, 439, 503, 567, 588, 593, 594, 784 into amine, 735 dec. by C, 679 dehydrated, 700, 716, 719 dehydrogenated, 659, 665, 668 esterif., 757, 766, 775 from gases, 306n by hydrogenation, 391 oxidised, 254n preparation, 435 Isopropyl amine from ale., 735 by hydrogenation, 382 Isbpropyl-benzene hydrogenated, 448 Isopropyl benzoate dec., 871 formed, 766 Isopropyl bromide by isom., 93, 199 Isopropyl chloride by isom., 199 Isopropyl-cyclohexane, 449, 452 Isopropyl-cyclohexyl-amine, 739 Isopropyl-cyclopentanone, 546 Isopropyl-ethylene, 713 Isopropyl-guaiacol, 565 Isopropyl iodide, 605 Isopropyl nitrite hydrog., 382 Isopropylidene-cy clopentanone hydrog. , 546 Isosafrol hydrogenated, 418, 565, 590, 601 Isosulphocyanic esters hydrol., 334 Isothujone formed, 198 hydrogenated, 552 Isovaleraldoxime, 814 Isovaleric acid into aid., 853 dec., 839 esterif., 771 into ketone, 842-844 Isovaleric aldehyde cond., 808 formed, 664 hydrogenated, 432, 588 by oxidation, 268 phenylhydrazone dec., 635 Isovaleric anhydride into ketone, 857 Isovaleric esters dec., 871 Isovalerone, 420 Isovaleronitrile, 814 Isovaleryl chloride, 813 Isozingiberene hydrogenated, 570 Itaconic acid formed, 183 hydrogenated, 558 isom., 183 Jena glass cat., 827 Kaolin carrier for Ni, 941 dehydration cat., 99, 717, 723, 726, 802 oxidation cat., 267 390 SUBJECT INDEX Kayser's apparatus, 963 Ketimines formed, 809 Keto-acids esterif., 756 hydrogenated, 437 syn. of, 902 Keto-alcohols dehydrogenated, 663 Keto-esters, 663 Keto-hydrofurfuranes formed, 195 Keto-isoheptoic esters, 663 Ketones from alcohols, 650, 659 into alcohols, 549 alicyclic hydrogenated, 436 aliphatic hydrogenated, 435 aromatic hydrogenated, 441, 455 condensed, 81, 238, 794-801, 803-810 condensed in gas phase, 801 crotonized, 794-800 crotonized in gas phase, 801 decom., Ni 620, Ft 532 dehydrated, 794-800, 802 from esters, 860, 861 formed, 31, 75, 208, 332, 701, 723, 764, 829, 830, 837-851, 857, 858, 865, 891-894 formed in liq. phase, 847 by hydration, 305, 308 hydrogenated, 420, 435, 436, 441, 455, Co 503, Cu 522, Fe 506, 593, Ni 588, 602, Pd 549, Ft 532, 567, 568 from oximes, 332 polym., 229 from second, ales., 659 syn. by F. and C., 891-894 Ketoximes dehydrated, 814 hydrogenated, 383, 385, 514 Kieselguhr, carrier, 942 Kream Krisp, 967n Lactones by hydrogenation, 392 Lactose, 323 Laevulinic acid esterif., 756 hydrogenated, 437 Laevulose formed, 221, 236, 237 hydrogenated, Ni 588, Pd 595 multirotation, 188 Lampblack cat., 811 Lard, 938 Lard oil hardened, 966 Laurie acid into ketone, 843, 850 Lead in drying oils, 266 influence on, Pd 946 toxic to cats., 115 Lead chamber process, 32, 158 Lead chloride cat., 876, not cat. 283 Lead hydroxide, isom. cat., 186 Lead nitrate, oxidation cat., 277 reduced with Pt, 166 Lead oxide cat., 676 Lead soaps toxic to cats., 115 Life of catalysts, 111, 708, 947 Ligroine as solvent in F. and C. syn., 892, 897 Lime catalyst, 540, 827 decom. methane, 911 dehydration cat., 795, 797 ketone cat., 840, 849 Limits of esterification, 750, 751, 767- 770 change with temperature, 768-770 Limits of reactions, 22, 313 Limonene dehydrogenated, 644 formed, 198 hydrogenated, Cu 517, Ni 477, 591, Pt570 Linalool hydrogenated, Ni 416, 601, Pt565 Linoleic acid constituent of fats, 937 hydrogen req. for sat., 955 hydrogenated, Pd 558 Linoleic esters, 937 Linolenic esters, 937 Linseed oil alcoholized, 341 hardened, 966 iodine number, 938 Liquid fats hydrogenated, 937-969 Lithium carbonate ketone cat., 846 Lyxonic acid, 187 Magnesia carrier, 127 catalyst, 540, 702, 828, 901, 906, 920 Magnesium carrier, Pd 946 cat., 51, 901 in cracking, 906 dec. C 2 H 2 , 920 powder cat., 901 Magnesium compounds cats., 269n Magnesium sulphate dehydration cat., 101 Maleic acid cat., 196 hydrogenated, 558 isomer., 182 SUBJECT INDEX 391 by oxidation, 260n, 276 oxidised, 268 toxic to cats., 115 Malic acid esterif., 756 Malichite green hydrogenated, 603 Malonic acid cond., 804 Malonic anhydride, 873 Malonic ester cond. aids., 804 decom., 873 Malonyl chloride in F. and C. syn., 893 Maltose hydrol., 323, 325 Manganese bromination cat., 52, 292 in drying oils, 266 oxidation cat., 52, 254 Manganese chloride cat., 283 Manganese dioxide cat. H 2 O 2 , 75 Manganese oxides oxidation cat., 259 Manganese salts cats., 100, 153, 264, 269n Manganous acetate, 268 Manganous borate, 265 Manganous oxide cat., 259, 617, 702, 828, 840, 845, 850, 853, 866 on alcohols, 142 dehydrogenation cat., 651, 672 ketone cat., 840, 845, 850 Manganous salts oxidation cats., 100, 153, 264, 268 Mannite esterif., 757, 761 by hydrogenation, 588, 595 oxidised, 150 Mannite hexacetate, 761 Mannonic acid formed, 187 Mannose isom., 186 by oxidation, 150 Margaric esters, 937 Mechanical shaking, 562 Mechanism of amine formation, 731 of hydrogenation, 677 of Grignard reaction, 300, 301 of hydration, 308 of mercaptan decomp., 627 of oxidation, 258, 264, 276 of poisoning, 180p-180s of promoters, 180s-180u Melissic acid into ketone, 843 Melting points of hardened oils, 966, 967n Menthane, 369, 449, 465, 475, 477, 478, 518, 570, 591, 722 Menthane-diol, 463 Menthene by dehydration, 714 dehydrogenated, 644 hydrogenated, 475 Menthol, 436, 567 Menthone hydrogenated, Pt 567 by hydrogenation, 552, 591 isom., 189 Menthone-oxime hydrogenated, 385 Mercaptans formed, 75, 170, 626-628, 707n, 743-746 Mercaptans, secondary, 628 Mercaptides, 627 Mercuric bromide bromination cat., 293 hydration cat., 309 Mercuric chloride with Al on alcohols, 299 with Al in F. and C. syn., 886 bromination cat., 293 hydration cat., 92, 309 isom. cat., 92 toxic to cats., 116 Mercuric nitrate nitration cat., 269n oxidation cat., 269 Mercuric salts red. with Pd, 165 Mercuric sulphate hydration cat., 102, 309 oxidation cat., 272-274 sulphonation cat., 6., 102, 816 Mercury dec. H 2 O 2 , 180a Mercury oxide oxidation cat., 269n Mesaconic acid formed, 183 Mesitylene with CO, 298 hydrogenated, 447 by isom., 888 by polymer., 212 Mesityl oxide, 697, 699, 797, 801 hydrogenated, 420, 549, Ni 587, Pd 546, 595, Pt 559, 567 Meso-benzo-dianthrone dehydrogen- ated, 685 Meso-naphtho-dianthrone, 685 Meta-aldehydes depolym., 234 formed, 222 Meta-butanal formed, 223 Meta-chloral formed, 224 Meta-heptaldehyde formed, 223 Meta-isobutanal formed, 224 Metal chlorides as cats., 876 Metal oxides as cats., 169, 675, 881 dehydration cats., 686 Metals, compounds formed, 299, 300 392 SUBJECT INDEX cond. of gases on, 135 in cracking, 906, 932 decom. acetylene hydrocarb., 913-919 dec. aromat. hydrocarb., 921 dec. esters., 867 dec. formic acid, 823 dec. formic esters, 867 dehydration cats., 686, 687, 701 ketone cats., 830, 847 Meta-propional formed, 223 Meta-styrene, 657 Methane, 432, 495, 504, 536, 540, 593, 620, 631, 634, 641, 645, 664, 672 from CO 2 by hydrogenation, 395-402 from CO, 393 decom., Mg 920, Ni 911 equilib. in formation, 409-411 formed, 362, 369, 370, 377, 393, 395- 402, 409-411, 413, 525 formed from carbon, 586 by hydrogenation, 362, 369, 370, 377, 395-402 oxidised, 253 Methods of hydrogenation, 599 ei seq. Methoxy-cyclohexane, 464, 494 Methoxy-methyl-cyclohexanols, 464 Methoxy-propylbenzene, 590, 601 Methoxy-propyl-cyclohexane, 590 Methoxy-propyl-phenol, 590 Methyl acetate dec., 180j hydrol., 313 Methyl-acetyl-acetone hydrogenated, 439 Methylal cond. with phenols, 792 formed, 781 by oxidation, 249 Methyl alcohol, 432, 538, 740, 771, 773, 851 into acetal, 781 dehydrated, 688, 690, 691, 693, 713, 715, 716 dehydrogenated, 656, 676, CdO 674, MnO 672, Ni 664, SnO 673, Zn 678 detection in EtOH, 656 esterif., 771, 773 from formic acid, 826 oxidised, 249, 268 with phenol, 789 with Pt, 668 Methyl-allene, 784 Methyl-amine from HCN by hydrogena- tion 342, 528 by hydrogenation, 377, 382, 510, 530 oxidised, 256 Methyl-amyl-acetylene, 308 Methyl-aniline dec., 634 formed, 729, 740 hydrogenated, 468 Methyl-anthracene from cracking, 909 Methyl-anthraquinone nitrated, 269n Methyl benzoate alcoholized, 340n dec., 871 by esterif., 744n, 766 hydrogenated, 471 into nitrile, 871 Methyl-butadiene, 802 Methyl-butane-diol dehydrated, 723 Methyl-tert-butyl-amine, 430 Methyl-butyl ketone hydrogenated, 435 Methyl-butyl-phenol, 459 Methyl-carbyl-amine hydrogenated, 430 Methyl-carvacryl ether, 789 Methyl-chlorcyclohexane, 569 Methyl chloride in F. and C. syn., 884 Methyl cinnamate hydrogenated, 601 Methyl-p.cresyl ketone hydrogenated, 389 Methyl-cyclohexane, 197, 447-450, 452, 465, 467, 479, 560, 590, 641 dehydrogenated, 641 by hydrogenation, 388 by isom., 197 Methyl-cyclohexyl-amine, 739 Methyl-cyclohexanols into amines, 739 dehydrogenated, 660 by hydrogenation, 457 Methyl-cyclohexanones by dehydrogena- tion, 660 hydrogenated, 436, 567 Methyl-cyclohexanone-hydrazones, 611 Methyl-cyclohexenes, 515, 660 Methyl-cyclohexyl-amine, 467, 737, 739 Methyl-cyclohexyl-aniline, 467 Methyl-cyclopentane by hydrogenation, 390, 649 Methyl cyclopentane-carbonate, 649 Methyl-cyclopentanone hydrogenated, 390, 436 Methyl-cyclopropene hydrogenated, 472 Methyl-diphenyl carbinol, 721 Methylene chloride in F. and C. syn., 896 Methylene-dithiol, 492 SUBJECT INDEX 393 Methyl esters by alcoholysis, 341 dec., 860, 865, 871 Methyl ether, 688, 690, 691, 693, 713, 865, 871 Methyl-ethyl-acetylene, 192 Methyl-ethyl-acroleine hydrogenated, 595 Methyl-ethyl-amine, 430 Methyl-ethyl-benzene by hydrogenation, 389 from pinene, 922 Methyl-ethyl-butadiene formed. 192 Methyl-ethyl carbinol, 567 Methyl-ethyl-cyclohexane, 448, 449 Methyl-ethyl-cyclohexene hydrogenated, 475 Methyl-ethyl ether, 691 Methyl-ethyl-ethylene formed, 193 Methyl-ethyl ketone hydrogenated, 567 Methyl-ethyl ketone phenylhydrazone dec., 633 Methyl-ethyl-propenal hydrogenated 546, 559 Methyl-di-isopropyl-benzene, 930 Methyl formate from aid., 228 dec., 868 by esterif., 773 Methyl-furfurane hydrogenated, 487 by hydrogenation, 371 Methyl-heptanone by hydrogenation, 420 Methyl-heptenone hydrogenated, 420, 552 Methyl hexahydrobenzoate, 471 Methyl hexahydroterephthalate, 648 Methyl-hexanone, 420 Methyl-hexenone hydrogenated, 420 Methyl-hexyl carbinol dehydrogenated, 665 Methyl-hexyl ketone, 665 Methyl-indol, 489, 633, 684 Methyl-isobutyl-benzene by F. and C. syn., 900 Methyl-isobutyl carbinol, 549, 559, 568 Methyl-isobutyl ketone, 435, 545, 559, 567, 587, 595 Methyl-isopropyl-cyclohexane, 449, 475 Methyl-isopropyl ketone dehydrated, 802 hydrogenated, 435 Methyl mercaptan, 744 Methyl-naphthyl ketone hydrogenated, 390 Methyl nitrite hydrogenated, 382, 513 Methyl-nonyl ketone hydrogenated, 435 Methyl-pentanol, 559, 595 Methyl-pentanone, 420 Methyl-pentamethylene, 444 Methyl-pentene hydrated, 306 Methyl-pentyl alcohol, 546 Methyl-phenyl-butine-ol hydrogenated, 548 Methyl-phenyl carbinol, 728 Methyl-propyl carbinol, 487 Methyl-propyl-octane by hydrogenation, 166 Methyl-propyl-octene hydrogenated, 414 Methyl-propyl ketone hydrogenated, 435 by hydrogenation, 487 Methyl-quinoline, 488 Methyl-salicylic aid. hydrogenated, 568 Methyl tetrahydroterephthalate dehy- drogenated, 648 Methyl-toluidines, 684, 740 Methyl-valeric aid., 546 Methyl-vanilline hydrogenated, 568 Mexican petroleum cracked, 933 MFB, 967n Migration of atoms, 199 Migrations of double and triple bonds, 190 Mineral acids as cats., 81 Mixed amines, 738 Mixed catalysts, 538, 651, 675, 702, 826, 827, 866 Mixed ethers formed, 170, 789 Mixed ketones, 75, 847-850 Mixed oxide-catalysts, 538 Mixed phenol-ethers, 788, 789 Moisture in oils, 949 Molybdenum chloride chlorination cat., 90, 283, 286 Molybdenum compounds cats., 269n Molybdenum oxide cat., 675, 676, 693, 702, 827 Molybdenum oxide, blue cat., 675, 746, 791 Molybdenum promoter, 180s, 180u Monobasic acids dec., 829-854 Morphine hydrogenated, 572 oxidised, 268 394 SUBJECT INDEX Mucic acid dehydrated, 727 esterif., 756 formed, 187 Multirotation of sugars, 188 Mustard oils hydrol., 333 Mutton tallow, 938 Myrcene formed, 214 Myristic acid into ketone, 850 Naphthalene cond., 806 from cracking, 908, 909 dec., 921, 931 dec., by A1C1 3 ., 931 by dehydrogenation, 642 formed, 908 in F. and C. syn., 889, 899 hydrogenated, 481, Ni 592, Pd 553, Pt571 by hydrogenation, 379 oxidised, 273 Naphthalene hydrides from C 2 H$, 914 dehydrogenated, 642 Naphthalic acids hydrogenated, 594 Naphthalic anhydride hydrogenated, 563 Naphthane, 481 Naphthenes formed, 211 Naphthoic acid esterif., 756 Naphthols into amines, 790 hydrogenated, 481, 592 Naphthol ethers hydrogenated, 494 Naphthonitriles formed, 871 Naphthoyl chlorides in F. and C. syn., 899 Naphthyl-amines, 512, 630, 632, 729 hydrogenated, 496 by hydrogenation, 379 Naphthyl ethers, 789 Naphthyl ketones by F. and C. syn., 899 Natural gas, 928 Negative catalysts, 9, 11 Neutral salt effect in hydrol., 317, 319 in inver. of sugar, 324 Nickel, a, 0, and y forms, 360 amount of required, 951 carrier for, Pd 946 on carrier, 126, 598, 939, 941, 942, 959, 960 cat., 15, 24, 53, 111-115, 122, 167, 180Z-180n, 343, 344, 358, 539, 540, 563n, 584 et seq., 596-603, 614, 619, 620, 683, 721, 722 cat. preparation, 54-56, 598, 941 in cracking, 906, 910, 911 dec. C 2 H 2 , 913, 918-920, 925, 926 dec. alcohols, 1800, 664 dec. aldehydes, 619 dec. amines, 631, 634 dec. aromatic hydrocarb., 921 decomp. cat., 832, 834, 867, 910-913, 918-921, 923, 925, 926 dec. CO, 163 dec. chlorides, 882 dec. esters, 1806, ISO/, 18Q/ dec. formic esters, 867 dec. hydrocarb., 832, 834, 867, 910- 913, 918-921, 923, 925, 926 dec. ketones, 620 dec. pinene, 923 dehydrogenation cat., 636, 637, 640- 645, 647, 651, 664, 665, 681, 684, 701, 824 elim. NH 3 , 631 in hardened oils, 969 hydrogen comps., 167 hydrogenation cat., 197, 801, 932, 939, 941-945, 947, 948, 950, 951, 969 hydrogenation cat. for fats, 939, 941- 948, 950, 951 isom. cat., 208 from Ni(CO) 4 , 163, 598, 616, 942, 953 preparation of, 53-56, 598, 941 on pumice, 126, 939, 941, 942 temp, for use, 952 Nickel acetate, 944 Nickel borate cat., 265, 944 Nickel carbonate, 941 Nickel carbonyl, 163, 598, 616, 942, 953 Nickel chloride cat., 283, 876, 880, 947 Nickeled asbestos, 959, 960 Nickeled pumice, 126, 939, 941, 942 Nickel formate, 944 Nickel lactate, 944 Nickel nitride, 375 Nickel oxide cat., 75, 80, 254, 258, 259, 722, 943 hydration cat., 310 hydrogenation cat., 584, 598 vs. nickel, 584 theory, 258 Nickel peroxide, 180a Nickel sesquioxide, 589 SUBJECT INDEX 395 Nickel suboxide, 80, 598, 943 Nickel sulphate oxid. cat., 272 Nitranilines hydrogenated, Cu 513 Nitration catalyzed, 269rc Nitric acid from NH 3 , 150, 249 in hydration, 307 hydrogenated, 376 on metals, 8 oxidising agent, 269 Nitric oxide hydrogenated, 374, Cu 509, Pt529 Nitrites, 305, 633, 635, 681, 682, 808 formed, 15, 631, 811, 812, 814 hydrated, 311 hydrogenated, 426-429, 521 polymerized, 230 Nitriles, aliphatic hydrogenated, 427 Nitriles, aromatic hydrogenated, 428 Nitroacetophenone hydrogenated, 545, 557 Nitro-alcohols formed, 236 Nitrobenzaldehyde cond., 798 by oxidation, 270 Nitrobenzene formed, 819 hydrogenated, 378, 538, 545, Cu 511, Pd 536, 576, Pt 531, 537 oxidising agent, 277 solvent for F. and C. syn., 892 Nitrobenzophenone F. and C. syn., 893 Nitrobenzoyl chlorides in F. and C. syn., 893 Nitro compounds cond., 803 from diazo, 609 hydrogenated, 377, 378, Cu 509, Fe 506, Ni 600, Pd 545, 576, Pt 529, 557, 564 Nitro compounds, aliphatic hydrogen- ated, 377 Nitro compounds, aromatic hydrogen- ated, 378 Nitro-ethane cond., 236 hydrogenated, 377, 510 Nitrogen eliminated, 606-612 Nitrogen dioxide hydrogenated, 529 Nitrogen oxides hydrogenated, 529 Nitrogen peroxide hydrogenated, 375, 509 Nitromethane cond., 236, 803 hydrogenated, 377, Cu 510, Pd 536, Pt530 Nitro-methanol-butanol, 236 Nitro-methylol-propane-diol, 236 Nitronaphthalene hydrogenated, 379, 512 Nitroparaffines cond., 236 Nitrophenols hydrogenated, 381, Cu 512, Pd536 by oxidation, 269 Nitrophenyl-ethylene, 803 Nitropropane cond., 236 Nitropropanol, 236 Nitropropyl alcohol, 236 Nitrosamines, 108 Nitroso compounds as cats., 108 hydrogenated, 564 Nitroso-dimethyl-aniline in vulc., 104 Nitroso-naphthol hydrogenated, 564 Nitroso-phenol as cat., 108 Nitroso-terpenes hydrogenated, 564 Nitrostyrene hydrogenated, 565 Nitrotoluenes hydrogenated, 378, Cu 512, Pt 564 by hydrogenation, 378 Nitrous acid cat., 82, 184, 269n esters of hydrogenated, 382, 509, 513 Nitrous oxide hydrogenated, 368, 509 Nonane by hydrogenation, 414 Nonene hydrogenated, 414 Nonylic acid into aid., 852, 853 into ketone, 845 Nonylic aldehyde, 852-854 Nonylic esters dec., 871 Occlusion of gases, 180 Ocimene hydrogenated, 415 Octadiene-diol hydrogenated, 566 Octadiene-diolic acid hydrogenated, 566 Octane by hydrogenation, 414, 601 Octane-diol, 566 Octene hydrogenated, 414, Cu 515, Ni 601 Octodecyl alcohol, 565 Octohydro-anthracene, 29, 363, 390, 483 Octohydro-indol, 571 Octohydro-phenanthrene, 484, 536, 592 Octoic acid into aid., 853 Octoic aid., 853 Octomethylene ring hydrogenated, 480 Octo-trienal, 801 Octyl alcohol, 566 Octyl-benzene hydrogenated, 569 396 SUBJECT INDEX Odors of oils elim. by hydrogenation, 939, 965 Oenanthaldoxime, 814 Oenanthylidene hydrogenated, 425 Oenanthylidene-acetic acid hydrogen- ated, 417 Oils hydrogenated in vapor, 939 Oils oxidised, 265 Oklahoma petroleum cracked, 935 Oleic acid, amt. H 2 required, 955 in fats, 937 hydrogenated, 422, 562, 939, 955, Cu 515, Ni 587, 601, Pd 546, 577, Pt 558, 565 isom., 82, 184 into ketone, 843 Oleic esters in fats, 937 hydrogenated, 577, 601 Oleic alcohol hydrogenated, 565 Oleine, 937, 939, 955 amt. H 2 required, 955 into stearine, 939 Olive oil hardened, 966 iodine number, 938 Optical isomers, 186 Organic Mg compounds, 300-302 Origin of petroleum, 925-928 Osmium cat., 64, 251 Osmium black, 583 Osmium oxide hydrogenation cat., 80, 583 oxidation cat., 262, 271 Oxal-acetic acid by oxid, 268 Oxalic acid cat., 106 dec., 12, 855 dec. formic, 822 esterif., 758 by oxidation, 269 oxidised, 246 retarder, 11 Oxalic esters dec., 873 Oxamide, 105, 312 Oxidation, 64, 150, 152, 244-277 catalysts, 59, 60, 100, 152, 162, 245- 267 by chlorates, 271 with gaseous oxygen, 244-267 by hydrogen peroxide, 268 by hypochlorites, 270 by nitric acid, 269n by nitrobenzene, 277 by permanganates, 275 by persulphates, 276 by sulphur trioxide, 272 of oils, 265 of phenols, 11 Oxides, carriers for, Pd 946 catalysts, 73, 75, 784, 789, 807-809, 813, 823, 837, 848, 858, 906, 921, 934 in cracking, 906, 934 dec. hydrocarb., 906, 921, 934 dehydrogenation cats., 638, 789 hydrogenation cats., 598 ketone cats., 848 prep, of, 76 Oxides of carbon hydrogenated, 504 Oxides of nitrogen cats., 269n hydrogenated, 374 Oximes hydrogenated, 383, 514 hydrolyzed, 332 Oxygen absorbed by C, 1806, by Au, Pt and Ag 137 Oxygen in catalysts, 165, 563, 563n, 943n in Pt black, 563 Oxygenation of cat., 943n, 947n Palladium absorbs hydrogen, 136, 150, 165 on alcohols, 669 on aldehydes, 623 amount of required, 951 black, 251, 562, 573-579, 822 cat., 65, 126, 269n colloidal, 71, 141, 54^-555, 604 colloidal prep, of, 71 dehydrogenation cat., 648, 649, 651, 669, 824 hydrogenation cat., 534, 536-595 in hydrogenation of fats, 946 poisoned, 1800 polymeriz., 212 sponge, 604 temp, of use, 952 Palladium black, 251, 562, 573-579, 822 palladium hydride, 150 Palladium sponge, 604 Palladous chloride, 562 Palm oil bleached, 265 Palmitic esters, 937 Parabutanal formed, 223 Paraldehyde cond., 801 SUBJECT INDEX 397 crotonized, 795, 801 depolymerized, 234 formed, 82, 104, 222, 223, 724 Para-indene formed, 217 Parapropional, 223 Peanut oil, 938 hardened, 966 Pelargonic acid into aldehyde, 852 esterif., 771 Pennsylvania petroleum cracked, 911 nature of, 925 Pentachlorpropane, 242 Pentachlorpropylene formed, 879 Pentadecyl-benzene hydrogenated, 569 Pentamethylene ring hydrogenated, 474 Penta-isobutanal formed, 224 Pentamethyl-benzene dec. F. and C., 887 Pentane from C 2 H 2 , 211 dec. by Ni, 911 formed, 211, 558, 565, 931 Pentane-diol dehydrated, 726 by hydrogenation, 595 Pentane-thiol, 745 Pentol-one, 439 Perchlorbenzene reduced, 404 Perchlorethane prep., 289 Perchlormethyl mercaptan, 278n Perhydroanthracene, 29, 363, 483, 592 Perkin's syn., 107 Permanganates as oxidising agents, 275 Peroxides as intermediate comps., 150- 153 Persulphates oxid. agts., 276 Perylene, 685 Petroleum cracked, 254n by Aids, 935 formation, 506, 925-928 Phellandrene, 198 Phenanthrene cond., 806 from cracking, 909 hydrogenated, 484, 642, Ni 592, Pd 536, 579, Pt 571 Phenanthridene oxidised, 270 by oxidation, 270 Phenetol, 464 Phenol from benzene, 150, 843 from bromphenols, 405 from chlorphenols, 404 dehydrated, 16, 785 by diazo, 606 by dehydrogenation, 642 ethers of formed, 75, 904, 785-789 formed, 150, 293, 404, 405, 843 hydrogenated, 120, 444, 456, Ni 603, Pt569 by hydrogenation, 381 by oxidation, 263, 268 into thiophenol, 791 Phenol ethers formed, 785-789 hydrogenated, 494 Phenols with aldehydes, 792 condensed, 803 dehydrated, 785, 789 hydrogenated, 370, 456, 603 nitrated, 269n Phenolic glucosides, 793 Phenylactaldehyde by dehydrogenation, 657 hydrogenated, Pd 549, Pt 560 Phenyl acetate dec., 871 Phenylacetic acid into aid., 853 dec., 830, 839 esterif., 756-758 hydrogenated, 471 into ketone, 843-845, 850 Phenyl-acetylene hydrogenated, 451, Cu520,Pd548 Phenyl-alkyl ethers formed, 789 hydrogenated, 464 Phenylation of amines, 632 Phenyl-benzyl carbinol dehydrated, 714 Phenyl bromide in syn., 901, 904 Phenyl-butyl chloride in F. and C. syn., 897 Phenyl-carvacryl ether, 788 Phenyl chloride in syn., 904 Phenyl-p.cresyl carbinol red., 369 Phenyl-cresyl ethers, 788 Phenyl-p.cresyl-methane by hydrogena- tion, 369 Phenyl-cyclohexane, 452, 475 Phenyl-cyclopentane by F. and C. syn., 897 Phenyl-cyclohexane formed, 889 hydrogenated, 475 Phenylene diamines by hydrogenation, 380 Phenylene-naphthalene oxides, 788 Phenylene sulphide formed, 295 Phenyl esters dec., 871 Phenyl ether, 338, 785-787 398 SUBJECT INDEX hydrogenated, 494, 589 formed, 59, 75, 786, 904 Phenyl ethers, 785-788 Phenylethyl alcohol dehydrogenated, 657 hydrogenated, 369 by hydrogenation, 560 Phenylethyl chloride in F. and C. syn., 897 Phenyl-ethylene hydrogenated, 415, 451, 516 by hydrogenation, 520 Phenyl-ethylene hydrocarbons hydro- genated, 415 Phenyl-ethyl ketone hydrogenated, 539 Phenyl-glycolic acid esterif., 756 Phenylhydrazine dec., 91, 611 from phenylhydrazones, 332 hydrogenated, 497 negative cat., 11 Phenylhydrazones dec., 633, 635 hydrol., 332 Phenyl-hydroxy-crotonic acid, 203 Phenyl iodide in syn., 904 Phenyl-isocrotonic acid hydrogenated, 417 Phenyl isocyanate hydrogenated, 495 Phenyl-naphthyl-amine, 632 Phenyl-naphthyl ketone hydrogenated, 685 Phenyl-nitrosamine formed, 206 Phenyl oxide by diazo, 59 formed, 75, 338, 785-787, 904 hydrogenated, 494, 589 hydrol., 16, 338 Phenyl-naphthyl ethers, 788 Phenyl-pentyl chloride in F. and C. syn., 897 Phenyl-propiolic acid hydrogenated, 548 Phenyl-propionic acid, 417, 546, 560, 580, 581, 594, 601 dec., 839 into ketone, 844 Phenyl-propyl alcohol, 560, 568 Phenyl-propylene by hydrogenation, 384 Phenyl-propyl-pentane by hydrogena- tion, 415 Phenyl-propyl-pentene hydrogenated, 415 Phenyl-pyridines, 807 Phenyl sulphide formed, 295 Phorone by cond., 797 hydrogenated, 420, Pd 547, 549, Pt 567 Phosgene formed, 134, 282, 282n, 284 Phosphine cat., 780 cat. poison, 180o formed, 700 Phosphoric acid cat., 687, 689, 691, 696 Phosphorus cat., 46, 687 chlorination cat., 281 oxidised, 150 toxic to cats., 115, 116 Phosphorus, red dehydration cat., 700 Phosphorus trichloride chlorination cat., 281 Phthalemes, 90 Phthalic acid esterif., 756 hydrogenated, 392, Ni 590, Pt 563, 569 by oxid., 273 Phthalic anhydride cond., 107 by oxid., 260n, 273 Phthalid by hydrogenation, 392 Phthalimide hydrogenated, 569 Phthalophenone by F. and C., 893 Phthalyl-acetic acid, 107 Phthalyl chloride in F. and C. syn., 893 Physical cond. of cat., 41, 53-55, 76-80, 703 Physical theory of catalysis, 131 et seq. Phytane, 565 Phytene hydrogenated, 565 Phytol hydrogenated, 565 Picoline, 680 Pinacoline, 724 Pinacones, 195, 724, 726 Pinane, 552, 591, 594 Pinene cracked, 909 dec., 235, 909, 922, 923 dehydrogenated, 664 hydrated, 307 hydrogenated, 477, Cu 594, Ni 591, Pd 552, Pt 570 isom., 198 polym., 216 Piperidine, 486, 555, 561 alkylated, 741 cat., 804, 836 dehydrogenated, 647 in vulc. of rubber, 104 Piperonal hydrogenated, 568 Piperonal-acetone hydrogenated, 565 Piperonyl-acrylic acid hydrogenated, 601 SUBJECT INDEX 399 Piperonyl-propionic acid, 601 Piperylene by dehydration, 726, 784 polym., 213 Pittsburgh gas, 928 Platinum absorbs O 2 , 137 asbestos, 247 catalyst, 61, 75, 126, 180c, 342, 539, 563n, 615, 829 in combustion anal., 250 in cracking, 906 dec. acetylene, 913, 914, 920 dec. alcohols, 668 dec. aids., 622 dec. ethylene, 912 dec. formic esters, 867 dehydrogenation cat., 636, 637, 643, 649, 651, 668 hydrogenation cat., 524-535, 945 moss, 524 oxidation cat., 4, 15, 61, 154, 235, 245, 255, 249, 250, 255, 256 oxidation cat. for SOz, 4 poisoned, 180o spiral, 829 wire, etc., 249 Platinum black activity of, 63 cat., 235, 246, 247, 445, 562 dec. H 2 O 2 , 2 deoxidising, 14 heat weakens, 63 hydrogenation cat., 344, 524, 563-572 oxidation cat., 1, 14 poisoned, 117, 947n preparation, 61 Platinum chloride cat., 635 Platinum, colloidal, 69, 72, 141, 248, 544, 556-561 poisoned, 116 Platinum moss, cat., 524 Platinum sponge cat., 193, 245, 342, 445, 524, 637, 824 Poisoning of catalysts, 112 et seq., 180o- 180s, 946, 947n of Ni cat., 112, 598 of Pt cat., 116 Poly-alcohols dehydrogenated, 680, 723, 727 Poly-aldehydes formed, 222 Poly-alkyl-benzenes dec., 887 Poly-ethyl-benzenes dec. F. and C., 888 Polycyclic hydrocarbons hydrogenated, 432 Polymerization, 89, 209-233 Polymethylene hydrocarbons, 535, 926, 927 Polymethylene rings hydrogenated, Pt 535 Polyphenols hydrogenated, 460 Polyphenyl hydrocarbons hydrogen- ated, 452 Polysaccharides hydrol., 323 Polyterpenes from cracking, 909 Polyvalerylene formed, 212 Poppyseed oil, 938, 966 hardened, 966 Porous substances, 139 Potash as cat., 611, 795 Potassium cat. polym. hydrocarbons, 213, 232 Potassium acetate cat., 107 Potassium bisulphate cat., 97, 687, 725 cat. esterif., 759, 760, 783 Potassium chloride cat., 876 Potassium cyanide in aldolization, 95 cat., 230 toxic to Pt, 117 Potassium copper cyanide cat., 95 Potassium ferricyanide reduced with Pt, 165 Potassium formate, 823 Potassium hydroxide cat., 799 Potassium iodide cat., 94 Potassium soaps toxic to cats., 115 Preparation of catalysts, 54r-56, 58, 59, 77, 78, 598, 606, 655, 704, 705, 941, 942 Pressure, effect of, 30 on dehydration, 711 on hydrogenation, 946, 956 on hydrolysis, 317 on inversion of sugars, 324 Primary alcohols dehydrogenated, 650 Promoters, 180s-180w Propane from ethyl acetate, 18Q/ by hydrogenation, 414, 472, 912 Propane-thiol, 745 Propenol hydrogenated, 416 Propionamide hydrogenated, 386 Propionic acid dec., 838 esterif., 751, 771 by hydrogenation, 417 400 SUBJECT INDEX into ketone, 840, 842-845 Propionic aldehyde, 416, 419, 658, 664, 668, 680, 839 cond., 795, 808 crotonized, 795 dec., Cu 621, Ni 620, Pd 623, Pt 622 into ester, 228 formed, 208, 249 hydrogenated, 432 by oxidation, 249 polym., 223 Propionic aldehyde phenylhydrazone dec., 633 Propionic anhydride into ketone, 857 Propionic esters dec., 863, 871 Propionitrile cat., 605 polym., 231 Propionyl chloride cond., 902 into nitrile, 813 Propiophenone-oxime hydrogenated, 384 Propyl acetate dec., 861 Propyl-acetylene formed, 192 Propyl alcohol, 416, 419, 558, 680, 740, 741 into acetal, 780 into amine, 732 dehydrated, 691, 694, 700, 713, 715- 717, 719 dehydrogenated, 656, MnO 672, Ni 664, Pt 668 esterif., 751, 771, 773, 775 by hydrogenation, 416 oxidised, 249, 254, 268 Propyl-amine from ale., 733 by hydrogenation, 382 Propyl-benzene by hydrogenation, 384, 448, 539, 560 Propyl benzoate, 766 Propyl bromide isom., 199 Propyl chloride dec., 877 isom., 199 Propyl cyanide as cat., 605 Propyl-cyclohexane, 449, 590 Propyl formate, 773 Propylene, 691, 694, 696, 700, 713, 716, 735 from CjHj, 916 dec., Ni 912 formed, 877, 916 hydrated, 306n hydrogenated, 414, 515, 526 Propyl ether, 691, 694 Propyl iodide, 605 Propyl-isoamyl-amine, 738 Propyl malonate dec., 873 Propyl mercaptan, 744 Propyl-methoxy-cyclohexanol, 569 Propyl-methoxy-phenol, 603 Propyl nitrite hydrogenated, 382 Propyl oxalate dec., 873 Propyl phenyl ether, 789 Propyl-piperidine, 741 Propyl propionate from aid., 228 dec., 861 by esterif., 751 Propyl succinate dec., 873 Protocatechuic aid., by oxid., 268 Pseudocumene hydrogenated, 447 isom., 888 Pseudoionone, 800 Pseudomorphine by oxid., 268 Pulegomenthol, 436, 567 Pulegomenthone, 421, 436 Pulegone, dehydrogenated, 645 hydrogenated, 421, Ni 591, Pd 552, Pt 567 Pumice cat., 811, 828 carrier, 126, 598 Purification of oils for hydrogenation, 947-949 Pyridine cat., 187, 224, 836 by dehydrogenation, 647 in F. and C. syn., 893 hydrogenated, 486, Pd 555, Pt 561 oxidised, 257 sulphonated, 816 in syn., 893, 901 Pyridine-carbonic acid hydrogenated, 561 Pyridine homologs hydrogenated, 561 Pyridyl-phenyl ketone by F. and C. syn., 893 Pyrocatechol hydrogenated, 370, 461 by oxid., 268 Pyrogallol hydrogenated, 462 oxidised, 150 Pyrogenetic equilibria, 905 Pyrography, 249n Pyromucic aid. hydrogenated, 434 Pyrone formed, 835 Pyrrol, 686, 807 alkylated, 742 SUBJECT INDEX 401 hydrogenated, 486, 571 Pyrrols cond., 803, 805 Pyrrolidine, 429, 485, 571 Quantity of cat., 32 Quercetine by hydrol., 328 Quinaldine hydrogenated, 488 Quinalizarine by oxid., 274 Quinidine hydrogenated, 555 Quinine as cat., 836 hydrogenated, 604 Quinine sulphate hydrogenated, 572 Quinite, 461, 589 dehydrated, 723 Quinizarine by oxid., 274 Quinoline as cat., 187, 793, 836 by dehydrogenation, 647 in F. and C. syn., 893 hydrogenated, 488, 489, Ni 592, Pd 555, Pt 561 Quinone hydrogenated, 442 by oxidation, 276 Quinones hydrogenated, 442 Radiation theory of catalysis, 18Q? Reaction tube for catalysts, 347 Reciprocal catalysis, 146 Regeneration of catalysts, 123-125, 563n, 932, 947n, 950 Regeneration of thoria, 708n Resinous substances by oxidation, 266 Resorcine cond., 806 hydrogenated, 370, 461 Reversible reactions, 19, 39 Rhodium cat., 64 Rhodium black cat., 822 in hydrogenation, 581 Ribonic acid formed, 187 Riche* gas., 397 Ricinoleic acid, 937 Ricinoleic esters, 937 Ring formation, 82, 194, 684, 685, 727, 896 Rubber syn., 106, 213, 214, 784 vulcaniz., 104 Ruberythric acid hydrogenated, 328 Russian petroleum cracked, 934, 936 Ruthenium cat., 64 Ruthenium black, 580 Sabinene hydrogenated, 570 Saccharic acid dehydrated, 727 Safrol hydrogenated, Ni 590, Pt 565 Salicine, 329 Salicylic acid esterif., 756-757 by hydrol., 328 Saligenine by hydrol., 329 Saliretine by hydrol., 329 Sand cat., 696, 811 Sandmeyer reaction, 91, 609 Santonin hydrogenated, 571 Saponification, 17, 305, 337 acid radical influence, 316-319 of esters, 337 of fats, 314, 319 neutral salt influence, 317 theory of, 176 Saturated hydrocarbons by hydrogena- tion, 412-415 Schlinck's apparatus, 960 Schwoerer's apparatus, 959 Sebacic acid into ketone, 843 Secondary alcohols, 420 dehydrogenated, 650, 659 esterif., 766, 775 prep., 435 Secondary amines by hydrogenation, 383 from naphthols, 790 prep., 427, 732 Selective absorption by cats., ISOh Selenium hydride toxic to cats., 180o Selex, 967n Separation of carbon, 613 Sesame oil, 938 hardened, 966 Sesquiterpenes hydrogenated, 570 Side chains hydrogenated, Cu 594, Ni 590 Siemens gas, 397 Silica cat., 75, 78, 540, 675, 676, 702, 811, 825, 911 dec. formic acid, 624 ketone cat., 847 prep., 705 Silica gel cat., 75n, 180c, 772n Silicates cat., 99, 267 ketone cat., 847 Silver absorbs Oj, 137 cat., 60 with CO, 615 dec. H,0, 34 402 SUBJECT INDEX oxidation cat., 252, 254, 259 Silver chloride cat., 876 Silver colloidal, 70, 72 Silver nitrate cat., 276 Silver oxide cat., 276 Silver salts in nitration, 269n Size of grains, 35 Skatol, 647 Snow drift, 967n Soda dehydration cat., 795 Sodium isom. cat., 50 polymer, cat., 50, 213, 231, 232 Sodium acetate dehydration cat., 107, 795 esterif. cat., 748, 761 polym. aids., 224 Sodium alcoholate cat., 340n Sodium borate cat., 574 Sodium carbonate to neut. oils, 948 Sodium chloride cat., 876, 954 Sodium formate cat., 822 Sodium hydroxide dehydration cat., 795, 798 Sodium methylate cat., 799 Sodium nitrate effect on Ni, 947 Sodium sulphide toxic to cats., 947 Sodium thiosulphate in isom., 182 Solvent naphtha cracked, 909 Solvents as cats., 36, 37, 40 in hydrogenation, 599 influence of, 38-40, 18Qf influence on equilibra, 39 influence on inversion of sugars, 324 influence on reaction velocity, 38 Sorbic acid hydrogenated, 558 Sorbite, 588, 595 Sorbose formed, 186 Specificity of cats., 142 Spirocyclane hydrogenated, 535 Squibb's method, 161 Stabilizers, 13 Stannic chloride acetylation cat., 240 chlorination cat., 283, 288 cond. cat., 243 in F. and C. syn., 899 Stannic oxide ketone cat., 849 Stannous oxide cat., 288, 539, 676 dec. alcohols, 673 dehydrogenation cat., 673, 824 Starch cat., 269n hydrolyzed, 4, 323, 326 State of cat., 41, 53-55, 76-80 Stearic acid, 422, 515, 546, 558, 562, 577, 587, 601 into ketone, 843, 847, 850 Stearic esters, 937 Stearine, 937 Stearone, 847 Stearyl chloride hydrogenated, 575 Stibine dec., 8 toxic to cats., 1800 Stilbene by dehydration, 714 hydrogenated, 415, 515 by hydrogenation, 548 Stirring in hydrogenation, 587n, 601 Stoichiometric theory of catalysis, 180a Strontium carbonate cat., 838 Strychnine hydrogenated, 555 Styrene from acetylene, 914, 916 formed, 241, 520, 548, 657, 889 hydrogenated, 415, 451, Cu 516, Pd 546, Pt 569 Suberic acid, 566 into ketone, 843 Succinic acid esterif., 756 by hydrogenation, 546 Succinic anhydride formed, 873, 874 hydrogenated, 392 Succinic esters decom., 873, 874 Succinimide, 312 Succinoyl chloride in F. and C. syn., 893 Sucrose hydrol., 323, 324 Sugar oxid., 269 Sugars formed, 236 by hydrol., 323 inverted, 175 isom., 186 multirotation of, 188 Sulphates effect on, Ni 947 Sulphides, 743, 744 Sulphocyanic esters, 333 Sulphonation, 815, 816 aided by HgSO 4 , 102 Sulphur added, 295, 296 catalyst, 6, 45, 630 chlorine cat., 280 eliminated from petroleum, 933 toxic to cats., 115, 116, 947 Sulphur compounds in hydrogenation, 569 toxic to cats., 946 Sulphur dioxide added, 87, 297 SUBJECT INDEX 403 cat., 74 oxidised with Pt 4, 247 polym. aids., 222 Sulphuric acid on alcohols, 159 catalyst, 687, 689, 691, 696, 713 cond. agt., 795, 803 inesterif., 748, 749, 751, 752, 756, 758 on formald., 822 in hydration, 306, 308 isom. terpenes, 198 manufacture, 32, 158 by oxidation, 258 Sulphuric acid fuming as oxid. agt., 272- 274 Sulphur trioxide cat., 12 manuf., 247 oxidising agt., 272 Sunlight in chlorination, 281n Surface, importance of, 35 Sylvestrene hydrogenated, 477 Synthetic tallow, 967 Tagatose formed, 186 Talgol, 967 Tallow, 938 hardened, 966 Talomucic acid, 187 Talose formed, 186 Tartaric acid esterif., 756 toxic to cats., 115 Tellurium oxid. cat., 45, 251 Tellurium hydride toxic to cats., 180o Temperature coef. in dehydration, 709 coef . of reactions, 24, 25 effect on hydrocarbons, 905 of hydrogenation, 361, 952 of prep, of cats., 707n regulation, 348 Terephthalic acid, 648 Terpenes dec., 922 dehydrogenated, 643 hydrogenated, 477, Ni 591, Pt 570 isom., 198 Terpine, 307, 308 Terpinene formed, 198 Terpineol dehydrogenated, 645 hydrogenated, 478, 552 Terpinolene formed, 198 Tertiary alcohols esterif., 778 Tertiary butyl alcohol oxidised, 249 Tetra-acetyl-phenyl-glucoside, 793 Tetra-amylene formed, 211 Tetrabromethane in F. and C. syn., 897 Tetrachlorethane dec., 881 formed, 199 in syn., 903 Tetrachlorethylene formed, 879 Tetracosene formed, 210 Tetra-ethyl-ammonium iodide, 38 Tetrahydro-acenaphthene, 482 Tetrahydro-anthracene, 29, 363, 483, 592, 642 Tetrahydrobenzoic acid, 476 Tetrahydrocarvone, 552, 567 Tetrahydrocolchicine, 555 Tetrahydrodoremone, 570 Tetrahydrofurfuryl-ethyl carbinol, 487 Tetrahydroionones, 554 Tetrahydro-methyl-furfurane, 487 Tetrahydro - methyl - naphthalene - car- bonic acid, 563 Tetrahydronaphthalene, 379, 481, 481n, 571, 592, 594 Tetrahydronaphthoic acid, 594 Tetrahydronaphthalid, 563 Tetrahydrophenanthrene, 484, 536, 579, 592, 642 Tetrahydrophenol, 723 Tetrahydropiperine, 555 Tetrahydroquinoline, 488, 561, 592 dehydrogenated, 647 Tetrahydrosantonine, 571 Tetrahydrostrychnine, 555 Tetrahydroterephthalic acid, 648 Tetrahydroxyanthracene oxid., 274 Tetrahydroxyflavanol by hydrol., 328 Tetra-isobutanal formed, 224 Tetralin, 481n Tetramethyl-benzene dec., F. and C., 887 Tetramethyl-diamino-benzhydrol cond. , 730 Tetramethyl-leucaniline, 730 Tetramethylene-diamine, 429 Tetramethylene ring hydrogenated, 473 Tetraphenylethane, 538, 662, 720 hydrogenated, 453 Tetraphenylethylene, 736 Tetrolic acid hydrogenated, 546 Thalium cat., 47 Thalium chloride chlo. cat., 283 404 SUBJECT INDEX Theories of catalysis, 129 et seq., 131, 145, 180, 180a-180u Theory of dehydration, 785 Theory of esterification, 752, 762, 763 Theory of ester decomp., 859-864, 866, 872 Theory of poisoning catalysts, 180o Thianthrene, 629 Thiobenzophenone syn., 894 Thiodinaphthyl-amines formed, 296 Thiodiphenyl-amine formed, 296 Thio-indigo hydrogenated, 603 Thiophene formation, 686, 810 toxic to cats., 112, 947n Thiophenol formed, 295 Thiophenols dec., 629 formed, 295 Thiophosgene in F. and C. syn., 894 Thiols formed, 75, 743-746 Thiourea isom., 207 Thioureas, 630 Thoria catalyst, 16, 24, 75, 79, 143, 170, 538, 676, 693, 700, 702, 707, 716, 720, 731-738, 813 aldehyde cat., 854 dec. chlorides, 881 dec. esters, 858, 861, 861n, 864-866, 872, 873, 1806, 180/, 180.;, 180n dec. formates, 870 dehydration cat., 651, 743-746, 788, 789, 791, 801, 808, 809 dehydrogenation cat., 686 esterif. cat., 764-766, 772 hydrolysis cat., 337, 338 lif e of, 708 ketone cat., 840, 844, 848, 850, 857 mercaptan cat., 746 mixed cat., 826 preparation of, 707n, 86 In Thorium chloride cat., 90 Thujane, 570 Thujone hydrogenated, 478, 552, 570 isom., 198 Thymol, ethers of, 789 formed, 645 hydrogenated, 459 Thymoquinol hydrogenated, 463 Thymoquinone hydrogenated, 442 Tin chlorination cat., 47, 288 dehydrogenation cat., 673, 824 Tin chlorides acetylation cat., 240 chlorination cats., 283, 288 cond. cat., 243 Tin oxides chlorination cats., 288 dehydration cats., 702 Titania cats., 75, 143, 337, 624, 693, 702, 704, 709, 732 aldehyde cat., 852 in cracking, 906, 934 dec., alcohols, 1800 dec. esters, 1806, ISO/, 18Q/, 180n, 861n, 863, 864, 868 dehydration cat., 825 dehydrogenation cat., 686 esterif. cat., 765, 767, 771, 772, 775 hydrolyt. cat., 686 ketone cat., 849 mixed cat., 675, 676 prep, of, 704, 861n Tolane, hydrogenated, 548 Toluene, 465, 560, 590, 593, 641, 657, 681 brominated, 292, 293 chlorinated, 278, 281, 285 from cracking, 908, 909 from cresoles, 370 from cymene, 930 dec. by F. and C., 887 by F. and C. syn., 884 in F. and C. syn., 899 hydrogenated, 444, 447, Pt 534, 560, 569, Rh 581, Ru 580 by hydrogenation, 369, 388 oxidised, 257, 260n, 263 from petroleum, 934 from pinene, 922 sulphonated, 815n from xylene, 930 Toluic acids dec., 830 esterif., 758, 766 into ketones, 848, 849 Toluic aldehydes dec., 623 syn., 298 Toluic esters dec., 864, 871 hydrogenated, 471 Toluidines, 497, 564, 630-632, 683, 684, 790 alkylated, 740 hydrogenated, 467 by hydrogenation, 380 manufacture of, 512 oxidised, 256 SUBJECT INDEX 405 Toluonitrile hydrogenated, 428 Toluquinone hydrogenated, 442 Tolyl-dimethyl carbinol hydrogenated, 369, 465 Toxic substances removed, 947-949 Toxicity of CO, 953 Toxicity scale, 116 Trade names of hardened oils, 967 Trehalose hydrol., 323, 325 Triacetin, 760 Tri-amylene formed, 211 Tribromphenol, 293 hydrogenated, 405 Tributene formed, 210 Trichlorbenzene, 404 Trichlor-tert.butyl alcohol, 238 Trichlorethylene cond., 242 formed, 881 Trichlorethyl trichloracetate, 228 Trichlorphenol, 404 Tricyclohexyl-methane, 453 Triethyl-amine cond., 38 formed, 377, 427 Triethyl-amine hydrochloride cat., 783 Triheptene, 519 Tri-isoamyl-amine, 682 Trimethyl-amine cat., 224 formed, 377, 496 Trimethyl-benzenes dec., 887 Trimethyl carbinol dehydrated, 713, 719 esterif., 776 into ether, 691 formed, 306 Trimethyl-cyclohexanes, 449 Trimethylene bromide, 605 Trimethylene ring hydrogenated, 472 Trimethyl-ethylene dec., Ni, 912 formed, 190 hydrogenated, 414 polym., 210 Trimethyl - hy droxy - butyl - cy clohexane, 560 Trimethyl-nonenone hydrogenated, 420 Trimethyl-pentane by hydrogenation, 414 Trimethyl-pyrazoline formed, 196 Trioxymethylene into acetal, 781 cond., 792, 806 formed, 432 in syn. rubber, 215 Triphenyl carbinol reduced, 369 Triphenylene, 646 Triphenyl-methane formed, 369, 728, 890 hydrogenated, 453 Tungsten as promoter, 180s filament, 180e, 180p Tungsten, blue oxide, cat., 24, 693, 825 dehydration cat., 651, 791 on formic acid, 624 mercaptan cat., 746 Tungstic oxide, 75 Turpentine oxid., 151 Types of hydrogenation apparatus, 957, 964 Undecenal, 658 Undecenyl alcohol, 658 Undecylenic acid hydrogenated, 417 Undecylic acid, 417 Unsaturated acids esterif., 756 hydrogenated, 422 isom., 203 Unsaturated alcohols hydrogenated, 416, 418, 419 into sat. aids., 208 into cat. ketones, 208 Unsaturated chlorides dec., 876 Unsaturated esters, 937 Unsaturated hydrocarbons, 743, 764, 802, 866 dec., 912 formed, 75, 142, 169, 695 et seq., 871, 872, 876, 878 hydrated, 305 Unsaturated ketones hydrogenated, 420, 602 Uranium in drying oils, 266 as promoter, 180s Uranium chlorides cats., 90, 283 Uranium oxide cat., 75, 260, 702 dec. alcohols, 142 ketone cat., 840, 849 oxidation cat., 259 Uranous oxide cat., 675, 676, 726, 825 dehydration cat., 791 mercaptan cat., 746 Uranium soaps toxic to cats., 115 Urea acetylated, 87 Urethane oxid., 259 406 SUBJECT INDEX Valeric acid from alcohol, 150 into ketone, 842, 845 Valeric esters dec., 863 Valerolactone, 437 Valerone, 547, 549 Valerylene polym., 212 Vanadium chloride chlorination cat., 283 Vanadium pentoxide cat., 269, 676, 693, 702, 828 oxidation cat., 260, 260n, 262n, 271 Vanadium sulphate in sulphonation, 816 Vanadous oxide cat., 675 Vanilline acetylated, 240 hydrogenated, 568 by oxidation, 191, 249 Vanilline triacetate, 240 Various rings hydrogenated, 592, 603 Velocity of catalytic reactions, 23 Vinyl bromide in F. and C. syn., 889 Vinyl-trimethylene hydrogenated, 577 Volume of hydrogen req. by various oils, 955 Walls of vessel as cat., 244n Water as cat., 73, 249 effect on dehydration, 710 effect on ethylene prep., ISOh effect on hydrogenation, 949 neg. cat., 12 Water gas, 398, 402 for hydrogenation, 953 reducing agent, 511 Wilbuschewitch's apparatus, 961 Williamson's reaction, 159, 169 Whale oil, 938 effect on cat., 947 Woltman's apparatus, 964 Wurtz syn., 11 Xylenes brominated, 292 chlorinated, 278, 285 add CO, 298 from cracking, 908, 909 from cymene, 930 dec., by A1C1, 887, 930 by dehydrogenation, 641 hydrogenated, 444, 447, 534, 569 from pinene, 922 isomer., 888 Xylenols, ethers of, 786, 789 hydrogenated, 458 Xylonic acid formed, 187 Xylose, 188 Zinc cat. cond. cat. 52, 795 dec. alcohols, 670 dehydrogenation cat., 670, 678 in F. and C. syn., 899 hydrogenation cat., 595 oxidation cat., 269n polym. aids., 219 toxic to cats., 115, 946 Zinc bromide bromination cat. 293 isom. cat., 200 Zinc carbonate cat., 824 Zinc chloride bromination cat., 293 cat., 6, 89, 234, 240, 283, 633, 635, 687, 689, 691, 695, 698 cond. cat., 795, 796, 803 esterif. cat., 748, 761, 795 in F. and C. syn., 899 hydrol. cat., 330 polym. cat., 211, 216, 222 Zinc hydroxide isom. sugars, 186 Zinc organo-compounds, 304 Zinc oxide cat., 75, 143, 539, 675, 676 in cracking, 906, 934 dec. formates, 869 dehydration cat., 702 dehydrogenation cat., 824 hydration cat., 310 ketone cat., 841, 849 Zirconia, amine cat., 732 cat., 746, 791, 825, 840, 849 esterification cat., 772n dec. formic ac., 624 dehydration cat., 791 dehydrogenation cat., 676, 693 ketone cat., 840, 849 mercaptan cat., 746 mixed cat., 651, 675, 702 LITERATURE OF THE CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES On our shelves is the most complete stock of technical, industrial, engineering and scientific books hi the United States. 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