Alternate Preparation of Norbornene and Dimethanooctahydronaphthalene via Diels–Alder Reaction: Process Simulation and Experimental Verification

Abstract

Synthesis of norbornene (NBE) and dimethanooctahydronaphthalene (DMON), respectively, via a Diels−Alder (D−A) reaction or consecutive D−A reaction with ethylene and cyclopentadiene (CPD) from dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) depolymerization as raw materials was an important process route for high value-added utilization of ethylene and C5 resources. The optimal reaction conditions (such as temperature, pressure, and raw material ratio) were obtained via sensitivity analysis, with the results showing that the reaction of ethylene and CPD was more difficult than that of NBE and CPD. Response surface analysis was applied to examine the effects of multiple factors (including temperature, molar ratio, and reaction time) on product results. The accuracy of the calculation results was verified through experiments, and the results were consistent with actual. The final selectivity of NEB reached 89%, and that of DMON reached over 95%.