The Mechanism of the Polymerization of Alkenes

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

Heating mixtures of fusel oil and zinc chloride or zinc bromide to 180 °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 °C, viscosity (−20 °C) of 7.85 mm² s⁻¹, density (15 °C) of 0.78 g mL⁻¹ and melting point below −78 °C which all compared well to the specifications of jet A-1.

Fusel oil was converted into the liquid hydrocarbon oligo(amylene) by zinc bromide catalysis.