Phenylacetylene is an
alkyne hydrocarbon containing a
phenyl
In organic chemistry, the phenyl group, or phenyl ring, is a cyclic group of atoms with the formula C6 H5, and is often represented by the symbol Ph. Phenyl group is closely related to benzene and can be viewed as a benzene ring, minus a hydrogen ...
group. It exists as a colorless, viscous liquid. In research, it is sometimes used as an analog for
acetylene; being a liquid, it is easier to handle than acetylene gas.
Preparation
In the laboratory, phenylacetylene can be prepared by elimination of
hydrogen bromide
Hydrogen bromide is the inorganic compound with the formula . It is a hydrogen halide consisting of hydrogen and bromine. A colorless gas, it dissolves in water, forming hydrobromic acid, which is saturated at 68.85% HBr by weight at room tempe ...
from styrene dibromide using
sodium amide
Sodium amide, commonly called sodamide (systematic name sodium azanide), is the inorganic compound with the formula . It is a salt composed of the sodium cation and the azanide anion. This solid, which is dangerously reactive toward water, is white ...
in
ammonia
Ammonia is an inorganic compound of nitrogen and hydrogen with the formula . A stable binary hydride, and the simplest pnictogen hydride, ammonia is a colourless gas with a distinct pungent smell. Biologically, it is a common nitrogenous wa ...
:
:
It can also be prepared by the elimination of hydrogen bromide from bromostyrene using molten
potassium hydroxide
Potassium hydroxide is an inorganic compound with the formula K OH, and is commonly called caustic potash.
Along with sodium hydroxide (NaOH), KOH is a prototypical strong base. It has many industrial and niche applications, most of which exp ...
.
Reactions
Phenylacetylene is a prototypical terminal acetylene, undergoing many reactions expected of that functional group. It undergoes semi
hydrogenated
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 reduce or saturate organic ...
over
Lindlar catalyst
A Lindlar catalyst is a heterogeneous catalyst that consists of palladium deposited on calcium carbonate or barium sulfate which is then poisoned with various forms of lead or sulfur. It is used for the hydrogenation of alkynes to alkenes (i.e. w ...
to give
styrene
Styrene () is an organic compound with the chemical formula C6H5CH=CH2. This derivative of benzene is a colorless oily liquid, although aged samples can appear yellowish. The compound evaporates easily and has a sweet smell, although high concen ...
. In the presence of base and copper(II) salts, it undergoes oxidative coupling to give
diphenylbutadiyne. In the presence of metal catalysts, it undergoes
oligomerization
In chemistry and biochemistry, an oligomer () is a molecule that consists of a few repeating units which could be derived, actually or conceptually, from smaller molecules, monomers.Quote: ''Oligomer molecule: A molecule of intermediate relativ ...
,
trimerization
In chemistry, a trimer (; ) is a molecule or polyatomic anion formed by combination or association of three molecules or ions of the same substance. In technical jargon, a trimer is a kind of oligomer derived from three identical precursors ofte ...
, and even polymerization.
:
In the presence of gold or mercury reagents, phenylacetylene hydrates to give
acetophenone
Acetophenone is the organic compound with the chemical formula, formula C6H5C(O)CH3. It is the simplest aromatic ketone. This colorless, viscous liquid is a precursor to useful resins and fragrances.
Production
Acetophenone is formed as a byprodu ...
:
:PhC
2H + H
2O → PhC(O)CH
3
See also
*
Alkyne
*
Alkyne trimerisation
References
{{Hydrocarbons
Phenyl compounds
Ethynyl compounds
C2-Benzenes