Formation Reaction of Ternary Intercalation Compound of Potassium-Graphite-Tetrahydrofuran

Abstract

The reaction of the first-stage potassium-graphite intercalation compound, KC8, with aromatic hydrocarbon molecules of benzene, phenanthrene, anthracene and benzophenone in tetra. hydrofuran (THF) and formation of ternary intercalation compound of potassium-graphiteTHF were examined. Starting material, KC₈, was prepared from the powder of Ceylon natural graphite. The formation reaction is divided into three steps, as shown in Table 1 in the case of phenanthrene. The first step is electron transfer from KC8 to phenanthrene and closely related with the electron affinity of aromatic hydrocarbon used. The second step is the formation of stable ion pair by the coordination of THF. The third step is the penetration of THF molecules into graphite interlayers to result in ternary compound such as KC₂₄(THF)₂.