Catalytic and non-catalytic formation of 4,4′-dimethylbiphenyl using p-chlorotoluene Original Research Article

The formation of 4,4′-dimethylbiphenyl is studied from the conversion of p-chlorotoluene over three types of reactions. The first type of reaction is the coupling of two p-chlorotoluene molecules by producing chlorine. The reaction is thermodynamically unfavourable and 4,4′-dimethylbiphenyl is not detected. The second type of reaction is comparable to a classical Ullmann reaction. It is shown that Cu supported on γ-alumina is more reactive for the coupling of p-chlorotoluene than copper-powder. The third type of reaction is a catalytic alternative of the Ullmann reaction with hydrogen as reducing agent. The formation of 4,4′-dimethylbiphenyl is feasible. The activity and selectivity are dependent on the type of metal and carrier used and also on the hydrogen partial pressure. The best catalyst is a Pd supported on carbon. Bimetallic mixtures of Pd–Hg and Pd–Bi show also good performance. To our knowledge, it is the first time that the formation of 4,4′-dimethylbiphenyl over typical hydrogenation/dechlorination conditions is reported.