1,3-Cyclopentadiene

Chemical Properties

1,3-Cyclopentadiene is a colorless liquid that dimerizes easily in the presence of peroxides and trichloroacetic acid to a colorless solid.

Physical properties

Colorless liquid with a turpentine-like odor. Odor threshold concentration is 1.9 ppm (quoted, Amoore and Hautala, 1983).

Uses

manufacture of resins; in organic synthesis as the diene in the Diels-Alder reaction producing sesquiterpenes, synthetic alkaloids, camphors.

Production Methods

This compound occurs in the C6–C8 petroleum distillation fraction, and in coke oven light oil fractions. It is produced by dehydrogenation of cyclopentadiene or monomerization of its dimer.

Definition

A cyclic hydrocarbon made by cracking petroleum. The molecules have a five-membered ring containing two carbon- carbon double bonds and one CH₂ group. It forms the negative cyclopentadienyl ionC₅H₅^-, present in sandwich compounds, such as ferrocene.

General Description

1，3-Cyclopentadiene is a colorless liquid with an irritating, terpene-like odor. Bp: 42.5°C; Flash point: 77°F. Density: 0.805 g cm-3.

Reactivity Profile

1，3-Cyclopentadiene is incompatible with strong oxidizing agents. Ignites on contact with oxygen (O2) and ozone (O3). Explodes on contact with fuming nitric acid or a mixture of sulfuric acid and nitrogen tetroxide. Reacts vigorously on contact with potassium hydroxide and other strong bases. Mixtures with air are explosive. Presents a moderate explosion hazard when exposed to heat or flame. Decomposes violently at high temperature and pressure. May form explosive peroxides in storage. Undergoes a spontaneous dimerization at room temperature to give DI1，3-Cyclopentadiene (C10H12, CAS No: 77-73-6), which is a low-melting solid (melting point: 32.5°C). The reaction is strongly exothermic (Hazardous Chemicals Desk Reference, p. 360 (1987)), but occurs sufficiently slowly that 1，3-Cyclopentadiene can be said to be stable at room temperature. The dimerization accounts for the partial or complete solidification of liquid 1，3-Cyclopentadiene in storage. Polymerization occurs more rapidly and extensively at higher temperatures. When heated to 180-200°C, 1，3-Cyclopentadiene gives poly1，3-Cyclopentadiene, a white waxy solid. Stronger heating breaks down poly1，3-Cyclopentadiene and re-generates the monomeric 1，3-Cyclopentadiene as a vapor. The vapor decomposes violently at higher temperatures and pressures.

Health Hazard

Cyclopentadiene exhibited low toxicity inanimals. Inhalation produced irritation of theeyes and nose. A 3-mL amount injected subcutaneouslyinto rabbits resulted in narcosis,convulsions, and death (von Oettingen 1940).A dose of≤ 1 mL was nontoxic. Repeatedexposure to 500 ppm caused liver and kidneyinjuries in rats; but longer repeated exposuresto 250 ppm produced no such effects in testanimals (ACGIH 1986). An oral LD50 valuein rats for the dimeric form has been recordedas 820 mg/kg (Smyth 1954).

Fire Hazard

Flammable liquid; flash point (open cup) 32°C (90°F); fire- extinguishing agent: dry chemical, foam, or CO2; a water spray may be used to cool the surroundings. Prolonged exposure to air may cause peroxide formation.

Safety Profile

Low toxicity by ingestion. A dangerous fire hazard when exposed to heat or flame; can react with oxidizing materials. Moderate explosion hazard in the form of gas when exposed to heat or by chemical reaction. It decomposes violently at hgh temperatures and pressures. dimerization is highly exothermic. Explosive reaction with fuming nitric acid,dinitrogen tetroxide, sulfuric acid. Reaction with nitrogen oxide + oxygen forms an explosive product. Reaction with oxygen forms a flame-sensitive explosive product. Ignites on contact with oxygen + ozone. Reacts vigorously on contact with potassium hydroxide. Incompatible with oxides of nitrogen, sulfuric acid. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and fumes.

Potential Exposure

Cyclopentadiene is used as an inter- mediate in the manufacture of resins, insecticides, fungi- cides, and other chemicals.

Environmental Fate

Biological. Cyclopentadiene may be oxidized by microbes to cyclopentanone (Dugan, 1972).
Chemical/Physical. Dimerizes to dicyclopentadiene on standing (Windholz et al., 1983).

Shipping

UN1993 Flammable liquids, n.o.s., Hazard Class: 3; Labels: 3-Flammable liquid, Technical Name Required.

Purification Methods

Dry the diene with Mg(ClO4)2 and distil it rapidly as it dimerises readily at room temperature. It should be used immediately or stored in a Dry Ice or an ice-salt bath. HIGHLY FLAMMABLE. [Moffett Org Synth Coll Vol IV 238 1963.] Cyclopentadiene Dimer (4,7-methano-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydroindene) has [77-73-6], M 132.3, m 33o, b 170o/atm, and d2 5 0.986; add ~0.05% of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol as stabilizer. Cyclopentadiene is prepared when required by de-polymerising the technical grade dimer by heating it carefully under a fractionating column [Wilkinson Org Synth Coll Vol IV 467 1963], as described by Moffett (above reference), or by adding the dimer at a steady rate onto mineral oil heated at 240-270o (Korach et al. Org Synth 42 50 1962). [Beilstein 5 II 391.]

Incompatibilities

Vapors may form explosive mixture with air. Converted (dimerized) to higher-boiling dicyclopenta- diene upon standing in air and @ 32 F/0 C; this conversion may be violent and exothermic; this reaction is accelerated by peroxides or trichloroacetic acid. Reacts violently with potassium hydroxide. Violent reaction with strong oxidi- zers; strong acids; dinitrogen tetroxide; magnesium. Incompatible with oxidizers (chlorates, nitrates, peroxides, permanganates, perchlorates, chlorine, bromine, fluorine, etc.); contact may cause fires or explosions. Keep away from alkaline materials, strong bases, strong acids, oxoa- cids, epoxides, alkaline earth metals, nitrogen oxides. May accumulate static electrical charges, and may cause ignition of its vapors.

Waste Disposal

Dissolve or mix the material with a combustible solvent and burn in a chemical incinera- tor equipped with an afterburner and scrubber. All federal, state, and local environmental regulations must be observed.

Raw materials

Preparation Products