Reaction pathways and role of alkyl halides in the methylation of 2-methylnaphthalene

Abstract

The methylation of 2-MN was studied to find out the reaction pathways and role of the alkyl halides used in the reactions. It was observed that the activity and product distributions of the methylation showed very specific behavior depending on the alkyl halides or solvents employed. The methylation of 2-MN only proceeded in the presence of alkyl halides, indicating that alkyl halides promote the methylation of 2-MN. The methylation seemed to be activated through the formation of an intermediate complex between the alkyl halides and the catalyst. It was found that the methylation of 2-MN proceeded via three different reaction pathways: the methylation of 2-MN with the methylating agent, the intermolecular transmethylation of 2-MN, and the methylation of 2-MN with methyl halides. All these pathways were activated by the formation of the intermediate complex.