Hydrodimerization is an

organic reaction Organic reactions are chemical reactions involving organic compounds. The basic organic chemistry reaction types are addition reactions, elimination reactions, substitution reactions, pericyclic reactions, rearrangement reactions, Mechanistic Organ ...

that couples two alkenes to give a symmetrical hydrocarbon. The reaction is often implemented electrochemically; in that case the reaction is called electrodimerization. The reaction can also be induced with

samarium diiodide Samarium(II) iodide is an inorganic compound with the formula SmI2. When employed as a solution for organic synthesis, it is known as Kagan's reagent. SmI2 is a green solid and solutions are green as well. It is a strong one-electron reducing ...

, a one-electron reductant. Hydrodimerization is the basis of the Monsanto adiponitrile synthesis: :2CH₂=CHCN + 2e⁻ + 2H⁺ → NCCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CN : The reaction applies to a number electrophilic alkenes (

Michael acceptor In organic chemistry, the Michael reaction or Michael addition is a reaction between a Michael donor (an enolate or other nucleophile) and a Michael acceptor (usually an α,β-unsaturated carbonyl) to produce a Michael adduct by creating a carbon ...

s).

References

Electrochemistry Industrial processes Organic chemistry Chemical synthesis Chemical processes Dimers_(chemistry) {{electrochem-stub