REDUCTION OF ORGANIC COMPOUNDS WITH CALCIUM IN AMINES (BIRCH, SULFUR, COAL)
Abstract
Chapter 1. Reduction of Organic Compounds with the Calcium-Amine System: Various organic aromatic substrates were reduced with calcium metal dissolved in low-molecular weight amines. The effects of different functional groups towards selective ring reduction were studied. The reducing capability of calcium appeared to be similar to the lithium-amine system as products were generally monoalkenes. Reductions were performed in either an ethylenediamine or methylamine-ethylenediamine system. A comparison of the two solvent systems and possible mechanisms for calcium reductions are included. Chapter 2. Reduction of Organic Compounds with the Calcium-Amine-Alcohol System: A new reducing system for aromatic substrates, calcium metal dissolved in an amine-alcohol mixture, was discovered. This reaction was capable of reducing aromatic substrates to unconjugated dienes under optimized conditions. The reducing capability of the calcium system was similar to the Birch (sodium) or modified Birch (lithium) reduction and produced comparable yields. A comparison of the calcium and lithium systems and potential mechanisms for reduction are included. Chapter 3. Reduction of Sulfur Heterocycles in Coal with the Calcium-Amine System: Reductions of aromatic sulfur heterocycles the calcium-amine system were studied. The reducing capability of calcium was similar to the lithium-amine system. Coal liquid and solids were reduced with calcium and the products were analyzed by negative ion mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry. This combination of organic and analytical chemistry provided a means for determining the composition of sulfur heterocycles in coal.
Degree
Ph.D.
Subject Area
Organic chemistry
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