ORGANOMETALLIC INTERMEDIATES IN THE CATALYSIS OF HYDROCARBON CONVERSIONS

A study has been made of the catalytic conversions of but-1-ene on nic kel supported by Silochrom, and also of 1,3- and 1,4-cyclohexadienes ( CHDs) and cyclohexene on metallic neodymium under conditions of mechan ical activation at room temperature. It was shown that but-1-ene on Ni -0 is isomerized to but-2-enes acid autohydrated with the formation of butane. Under the influence of neodymium and conditions of mechanical activation, CHDs are isomerized to each other and disproportionated w ith the formation of benzene and cyclohexene. Under these conditions, cyclohexene is slowly converted to cyclohexane. Furthermore, during th e conversion of CHDs and cyclohexene, polymeric products are formed. E vidence of the occurrence of the reactions under study via organometal lic intermediates has been obtained, and possible schemes of the mecha nisms are given.