Oligo(amylene) from the reaction of fusel oil with zinc dihalide

Heating mixtures of fusel oil and zinc chloride or zinc bromide to 180 degrees C gave water, difusel ethers and the hydrocarbon oligo(amylene) as the major coproducts. Separation by chromatography gave oligo(amylene) in 25% yield from fusel oil. The triamylene fraction of the oligo(amylene) had a net heating value of 43.9 kJ g(-1) which was 3% greater than specifications for gasoline, diesel #2 and jet A-1. The cetane number of the triamylene was 31.9 so it may not be useful for diesel engines. The triamylene had a flashpoint of 38 degrees C, viscosity (-20 degrees C) of 7.85 mm(2) s(-1), density (15 degrees C) of 0.78 g mL(-1) and melting point below -78 degrees C which all compared well to the specifications of jet A-1.

Automated summary

Heating mixtures of fusel oil and zinc chloride or zinc bromide to 180 degrees C produced water, difusel ethers, and hydrocarbon oligo(amylene) as major byproducts. Chromatography separation yielded oligo(amylene) with a 25% yield from fusel oil, and the triamylene fraction had properties suitable for jet A-1 fuel specifications.