Date of Award

12-1997

Document Type

Thesis

Department

Chemistry

Second Advisor

Philip Schapiro

Third Advisor

John Coleman

Abstract

Cyclohexanone, the central component of the compound 2-methyl-2-methylacrylylcyclohexanone-( l,5)-diaxaspiro mononeopentyl (see figure on page 2), serves as a solvent for oil in piston type aircraft and in natural and vinyl resins. It is used in the production of crude rubber, waxes, fats, shellac and DDT and other pesticides. Cyclohexanone also is a part of the production of adipic acid, which is used to prepare nylon and is used to prepare cyclohexanone resins via condensation to enhance the adhesive properties of products like floor paints.

Cyclohexanones are among the most accessible hydroaromatic derivatives and serve as the initial materials for the preparation of other compounds. Consequently, their preparation and properties have been extensively studied. The purpose of determining the crystal structure of 2- methyl-2-methylacrylyl-cyclohexanone-(l,5)-diaxaspiro mononeopentyl is to determine the influence of the spiro group on the cyclohexanone conformation and the positions (equatorial or axial) of the methyl and acrylyl groups.

Cyclohexanones and subsequent derivatives can be prepared by various methods including the catalytic hydrogenation of phenols and dialkylanilines and the reduction of phenols with lithium dissolved in low-molecular weight amines. They are also prepared by the oxidation with alkaline permanganate or chromic acid or the catalytic (Cu or Ni) dehydrogenation of cyclohexanols or the oxidation of cyclohexene by reaction with palladium chloride in an aqueous acid.

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