What is Iminodibenzyl and How is it Used?

Introduction

Iminodibenzyl [1] is a chemical compound commonly used as a catalyst and reducing agent in organic synthesis. Its main application is as a hydrogenation and reduction agent in transition metal-catalyzed organic synthesis reactions, particularly in the hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds and unsaturated compounds. Additionally, Iminodibenzyl is also used in electrochemical synthesis, electrochemical catalysis, fuel cells, and other related research. It is important to note that Iminodibenzyl is a toxic chemical and should be handled and stored with caution.

Figure 1: Appearance of Iminodibenzyl

Applications

Iminodibenzyl [2-4] is widely used as a catalyst and reducing agent in various fields and applications:

1. Organic synthesis: It is extensively used as a hydrogenation and reduction agent in organic synthesis, particularly in the carbonyl reduction and hydrogenation of unsaturated compounds, enabling efficient and highly selective synthesis.

2. Electrochemical research: It exhibits excellent electrochemical properties, making it widely used in the study of certain electrochemical synthesis and electrochemical catalysis reactions.

3. Materials chemistry: In recent years, research has focused on its application in materials chemistry, such as its role as a reducing agent for metals and metal oxides in processes like chemical deposition and electrochemical deposition.

In summary, Iminodibenzyl has a wide range of applications, significant research value, and extensive prospects for practical use.

Synthesis

Xu Weiling [5] and colleagues synthesized Iminodibenzyl using 2,2'-dinitrostilbene as the starting material. The reaction involved hydrogenation reduction in methanol as the solvent, under a nitrogen atmosphere. The chemical reaction equation is as follows:

Figure 2: Synthesis of Iminodibenzyl

Storage

Iminodibenzyl should be stored in a dry, cool, and well-ventilated area, away from heat sources, open flames, oxidizing agents, and other flammable, explosive, or corrosive substances. Direct exposure to sunlight should be avoided. The storage temperature should not exceed 30°C, and contact with moisture and oxygen in the air should be prevented to avoid oxidation, decomposition, and deactivation.

Iminodibenzyl is an organic substance with flammability and chemical reactivity, so special attention should be given to fire prevention, static electricity prevention, and avoiding contact with other substances during storage. Additionally, the packaging should be checked for integrity before storage and kept sealed to maintain the quality and stability of the product. It is important to note that improper storage can be harmful to the environment, so storage safety regulations and operating procedures should be strictly followed.

References

[1] Yin, W., Li, R., Kou, L., Li, Y., & Ma, J. (2004). Catalytic Dehydrogenation of Hydrazobenzene by Iminodibenzyl on Iron Oxide. Molecular Catalysis, 248-252.

[2] Li, S. (2015). Optimization of Experimental Conditions for the Synthesis of Iminodibenzyl. Shandong Chemical Industry, 44(21), 30-31.

[3] Pan, L. (2015). Analysis and Detection in the Quality Control Process of Iminodibenzyl Synthesis. Shandong Chemical Industry, 44(16), 96-97+100.

[4] Jiang, H., Wang, Q., Jiang, N., Tu, S., & Feng, Y. (2009). Quantitative Determination of Iminodibenzyl by 1H NMR Spectroscopy. Journal of Xuzhou Normal University (Natural Science Edition), 27(01), 77-79.

[5] Xu, W., Wang, L., & Wang, J. (2020). Method for Synthesizing Iminodibenzyl. CN Patent No. CN111253312A.