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Abstract

A process for producing benzyllithium, benzylsodium and polyphenylene paradimethylene and analogs comprising dissolving toluene in an aprotic polar solvent in which toluene is more acidic than water, such as DMSO, under an inert atmosphere, such as argon, adding an alkali metal hydroxide, such as lithium or sodium hydroxide, to form the alkali metal anion of the benzyl cation and water then removing the solvent and water to obtain the solid alkali metal alpha-carbon toluene compound, which is best stored under hexane. This process also relating to toluene analogs such as parachloro toluene which thereby yields parachloro alkali metal alpha-carbon toluene which is then polymerized by heating with a suitable high-boiling solvent, such as dibutyl ether or dimethoxy ethane in the presence of a copper catalyst, such as copper sulfate or finely divided copper metal at approximately 170C for 5 hours to form polyphenylene paradimethylene. This process having the advantage of using alkali metal hydroxides instead of elemental alkali metals, a reaction occurring at ordinary temperatures, and a lower cost of the product. This process also allowing the economical production of polyphenylene paradimethylene which is not currently being manufactured.

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