Synthesis of tri- and tetra-phenylalkanes and study of their hydrogenation

Summary

• 1. The following previously undescribed hydrocarbons were prepared and characterized by their freezing points, viscous properties, and infrared spectra: 1-p-benzylphenyl-2-cyclohexyiethane, 1-cyclohexyl-2-[4-(cyclohexylmethyl)cyclohexyl]ethane, 1-cyclohexyl-2 -p-(cyclohexylmethyl)phenylethane, 1,2 -bis-p-benzylphenylethane, 1-[4-(cyclohexylmethyl)cyclohexyl]-2-p-(cyclohexylmethyl)phenylethane, l,2-bis-4-(cyclohexyImeihyl)cyclohexylethane, 1-p-benzylphenyl-3-phenylpropane, 1-cyclohexyl-3-p-(cyclohexylmethyl)phenylpropane, 1-cyclohexyl-3-[4-(cyclehexylmethyl)cyclohexyl]propane, 1,1-dicyclohexyl-2-methyl-1-phenylpropane, and 1,1,1-tricyclohexyl-2-methylpropane.

• 2. In the case of 1-p-bensylphenyl-2-phenylethane, hydrogenation over Raney nickel and over PtO₂ stops at tile stage of the hydrogenation of one ring, whereas in the hydrogenation of 1,1,1-triphenylalkanes over Raney nickel not less than two rings are hydrogenated. Over PtO₂ hydrocarbons of this type are not hydrogenated at all.