Patent number: 5087785
Abstract: Improved processes for the production of secondary alkyl indanes, particularly mixtures of 1,1,3,5-tetramethyl-3-isopropylindanes and 1,3,3,5-tetramethyl-3-isopropylindane, and alkylated tetrahydronaphthalenes, particularly mixtures of 1,1,3,4,4,6-hexametyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene and 1,1,2,4,4,6-hexamethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene, are described. In the processes of the invention, alkylated tetrahydronaphthalenes or secondary alkyl indanes are isomerized in the presence of a Lewis acid and a solvent which may be a halogenated or unhalogenated solvent and, optionally, a phase transfer agent, to produce, in the case of an alkylated tetrahydronaphthalene starting material, a secondary alkyl indane, and in the case of a secondary alkyl indane starting material, an aklylated tetrahydronaphthalene. The Lewis acid is present in the reaction medium in an amount of less than about 50 mole percent based on the amount of the alkylated tetrahydronaphthalene or secondary alkylindane charged.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 3, 1990
Date of Patent:
February 11, 1992
Assignee:
Union Camp Corporation
Inventor:
Walter C. Frank