Selective dimerization of styrene to 1,3-diphenyl-1-butene by acetyl perchlorate

The linear unsaturated dimer of styrene, 1,3-diphenyl-1-butene, was obtained exclusively in the oligomerization of styrene by acetyl perchlorate in various solvents. In benzene, the linear dimer was produced in more than 90% yield at 50°C. In n-hexane and cyclohexane, the yield of the linear dimer was lower. The yield of the linear dimer was strongly dependent on the nature of solvent. When an increasing amount of 1,2-dichloroethane was added to benzene, the yield of the linear dimer gradually decreased. On the other hand, when a small amount of 1,2-dichloroethane was added to n-hexane or cyclohexane, the yield of the linear dimer increased. The yield of the linear dimer was almost independent of the reaction temperature and the initiator concentration. For comparison, the dimerization of α-methylstyrene was carried out, and the effects of the initiator and the solvent on the structure of dimers were investigated. On the basis of these results, the mechanism of the dimerization of styrene initiated by acetyl perchlorate is discussed.