Fluoroalkane aromatization over hot sodium oxalate

Hot sodium oxalate (465 degrees C) aromatizes perfluorodecalin to give perf luorotetralin and perfluoronaphthalene. Decomposition of solid sodium oxala te at temperatures above 450 degrees C involves initial formation of elemen tal carbon that catalyzes the subsequent decomposition of oxalate, leading to the presence of an induction period in the overall decomposition reactio n. Prior incipient decomposition of sodium oxalate to carbon and sodium car bonate is necessary for this reagent to effect aromatization. (C) 1999 Else vier Science S.A. All rights reserved.