The Uncatalyzed Transfer Hydrogenation of α‐Methylstyrene by Dihydroanthracene or Xanthene—a Radical Reaction

Abstract

Cumene (3) is formed almost quantitatively from α-methylstyrene (1) by hydrogen transfer from dihydroanthracene (2a) or xanthene (2b) at 270–310 °C. The initial step in this reaction is the first example of a stoichiometric, bimolecular, molecule-induced formation of radicals in solution (proven by ESR) by hydrogen transfer. This type of reaction has been postulated for the initiation of chain reactions such as the thermal polymerization of styrene.