2-Ethylanthraquinone on:
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2-Ethylanthraquinone is an
The
organic compound
Some chemical authorities define an organic compound as a chemical compound that contains a carbon–hydrogen or carbon–carbon bond; others consider an organic compound to be any chemical compound that contains carbon. For example, carbon-co ...
that is a derivative of anthraquinone. This pale yellow solid is used in the industrial production of hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound with the formula . In its pure form, it is a very pale blue liquid that is slightly more viscosity, viscous than Properties of water, water. It is used as an oxidizer, bleaching agent, and antiseptic, usua ...
(H2O2).Römpp CD 2006, Georg Thieme Verlag 2006
Production
2-Ethylanthraquinone is prepared from the reaction of phthalic anhydride and ethylbenzene: :C6H4(CO)2O + C6H5Et → C6H4(CO)2C6H3Et + H2O. Both phthalic anhydride and ethylbenzene are readily available, being otherwise used in the large-scale production of plastics.Uses
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound with the formula . In its pure form, it is a very pale blue liquid that is slightly more viscosity, viscous than Properties of water, water. It is used as an oxidizer, bleaching agent, and antiseptic, usua ...
is produced industrially by the anthraquinone process which involves using 2-alkyl-9,10-anthraquinones for hydrogenation. Many derivatives of anthraquinone are used but 2-ethylanthraquinone is common because of its high selectivity. The hydrogenation of the unsubstituted ring can reach 90% selectivity by using 2-ethylanthraquinone. Hydrogenation follows the Riedl-Pfleiderer, or autoxidation, process:
The hydrogenation
Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between molecular hydrogen (H2) and another compound or element, usually in the presence of a catalyst such as nickel, palladium or platinum. The process is commonly employed to redox, reduce or Saturated ...
of 2-ethylanthraquinone is catalyzed by palladium. Hydrogenation produces both 2-ethylanthrahydroquinone and tetrahydroanthraquinone. The tetrahydro derivative of 2-alkylanthraquinone is easily hydrogenated but is more difficult to oxidize. The formation of the tetrahydro derivative can be suppressed through the selection of catalysts, solvents, and reaction conditions. Some suggested solvent mixtures are polyalkylated benzenes and alkyl phosphates or tetraalkyl ureas, trimethylbenzenes and alkylcyclohexanol esters, and methylnaphthalene and nonyl alcohols.
References