Base-Catalyzed Reactions of Hydrocarbons and Related Compounds

Book excerpt: Base-Catalyzed Reactions of Hydrocarbons and Related Compounds focuses on the use of bases as catalysts for the conversion of hydrocarbons and related compounds. In order to emphasize the broad scope of base-catalyzed reactions, examples dealing with the conversion of non-hydrocarbons are given. Comprised of 14 chapters, this book begins with a historical overview of base-catalyzed conversions of hydrocarbons, followed by a discussion on the isomerization of olefins, acetylenes, and allenes, as well as the dimerization and oligomerization of hydrocarbons. The reader is then introduced to a variety of reactions, including those between aromatic hydrocarbons and olefins and between alkylpyridines and alkenylpyridines; homogeneous carbon-carbon addition reactions; and reactions of aprotic solvents with olefins. Subsequent chapters explore carbon-carbon addition of olefins with miscellaneous compounds; addition of ammonia, amines, and anilines to olefinic hydrocarbons; hydrogenation and oxygenation; dehydrogenation, aromatization, and hydrogen transfer; and dehydration of alcohols. This monograph will be of interest to chemists.