Fluoroalkane aromatization over hot sodium oxalate

Abstract

Hot sodium oxalate (465°C) aromatizes perfluorodecalin to give perfluorotetralin and perfluoronaphthalene. Decomposition of solid sodium oxalate at temperatures above 450°C involves initial formation of elemental carbon that catalyzes the subsequent decomposition of oxalate, leading to the presence of an induction period in the overall decomposition reaction. Prior incipient decomposition of sodium oxalate to carbon and sodium carbonate is necessary for this reagent to effect aromatization.