Concerted and non-concerted hydrogen transfer: the thermal disproportionation of 1,2- and 1,4-dihydronaphthalenes

Abstract

A concerted mechanism is proposed for the thermal disproportionation of 1,2-dihydronaphthalene at ca. 300°C in solution in which naphthalene and tetralin are formed in 1 : 1 ratio; under similar conditions 1,4-dihydronaphthalene underwent isomerisation (to 1,2-dihydronaphthalene) and disproportionation in concurrent reactions, both of which are catalysed by the glass surface of the reaction vessel.