Mechanism of anionic coordination dimerization of isoprene

Abstract

The mechanism of controlled anionic coordination dimerization of isoprene (i.e. 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene) in the system tetrahydrofuran-isoprene-alkali metal-dialkylamine was investigated by using absorption spectrophotometry in the range of visible radiation and gas chromatography. The effect of the alkali metal (Li, Na, K) and dialkylamine (dicyclohexylamine, N-isopropylcyclohexylamine, N-methylisopropylamine) on the absorption spectra was tested. By comparing chromatographic and spectrophotometric data, the absorption bands in the range of visible radiation were identified with the existence of π-complexes between oligomeric forms of isoprene and alkali metal dialkylamide.