Diphenylmethane Lab Report

Friedel-Crafts liquid phase alkylation reaction of aromatic compounds is an industrially important which is known since 1877 and also commonly practiced in organic chemistry for the synthesis of various pharmaceutical compounds [1]. Catalytic benzylation of aromatics with benzyl chloride is one of the commercially significant C-C bond synthetic reaction processes to produce benzylated aromatics such as diphenylmethane and substituted diphenylmethanes. These are key intermediates in the synthesis of fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals such as analgesic or anti-inflammatory agent, reagent for inhibiting agglomeration of blood, backbone, and skeleton and commonly used in the fragrance industry as both fixative and scenting agent [2-7]. Friedel-Crafts
All the reactions in presence of ZnO/ZrO2 were completed within 10-70 minutes with good product yields. The reaction using 1,3-DiChlorobenzene was completed in 10 minutes with 90% yield whereas Bromobenzene takes 70 minutes for completion of the reaction. There was a vigorous reaction in case of Nitrobenzene. Evolution of HCl was observed during the reaction. The reaction mixture becomes viscous and sticky for which separation became difficult. The reaction was faster with 1,3-DiChlorobenzene whereas 1,4-DiChlorobenzene was inactive towards Benzylation in presence of ZnO/ZrO2 at 80oC under solvent-free condition.
CONCLUSION:
Diphenylmethanes are industrially important intermediates. These compounds are prepared under efficient green protocol with high yield and shorter reaction time in presence of eco-friendly catalyst ZnO/ZrO2. These are prepared using unfunctionalized simple/substituted benzenes which are cheap, more abundant and renewable