'1,4-Cyclohexadiene' is a highly
flammable cycloalkene that occurs as a colorless clear liquid.
1,4-Cyclohexadiene and related compounds may be prepared from
benzene using
lithium or
sodium in liquid
ammonia, this process being known as a
Birch reduction. However 1,4-cyclohexadiene is easily oxidised to
benzene, the driving force being the formation of an aromatic ring. The conversion to an aromatic system may be performed in the laboratory using an
alkene such as
styrene, along with a
hydrogen transfer agent such as
palladium metal supported on
charcoal.
γ-Terpinene is a naturally occurring derivative of 1,4-cyclohexadiene, found in the
essential oils of
coriander,
lemon, and
cumin.
See also
★
Benzene
★
Cyclohexane
★
1,3-Cyclohexadiene
★
Cyclohexene
External links
★
Safety MSDS data
★
The photochemistry of 1,4-cyclohexadiene in solution and in the gas phase