Abstract
The synthesis of 3a, 4, 7, 7a-tetrahydroindene (THI) from butadiene and cyclopentadiene was investigated to improve the purity and the yield of the product by the use of polymerization inhibitors or solvents. Without the additives, substantial quantities of other dimers and higher polymers were obtained. In the presence of inhibitors the polymerization to higher polymers was suppressed to some extent and the yield of THI somewhat decreased. When some solvents were used, the reaction proceeded moderately and THI was obtained selectively in the dimers. In the case of ethyl-ether or ethanol, the purity and the yield of THI were about 80% and 38%, respectively.
