4-Vinylcyclohexene Explained

4-Vinylcyclohexene is an organic compound consisting of a vinyl group attached to the 4-position of the cyclohexene ring. It is a colorless liquid. Although chiral, it is used mainly as the racemate. It is a precursor to vinylcyclohexene dioxide.

Production

It is produced by buta-1,3-diene dimerization in a Diels-Alder reaction.[1] The reaction is conducted at 110 - 425 °C at pressures of 1.3 - 100 MPa in the presence of a catalyst. A mixture of silicon carbide and salts of copper or chromium comprises the catalyst. A competing product is 1,5-cyclooctadiene.

Safety

4-Vinylcyclohexene is classified as a Group 2B carcinogen by the IARC ("possibly carcinogenic to humans").

Notes and References

  1. Book: Wittcoff. Harold. Reuben. B. G.. Plotkin. Jeffrey S.. 1998. Industrial Organic Chemicals. 2. Wiley-Interscience. 978-0-471-44385-8. 236–7. 2009-04-19.