| abstract |
Benzene, or an alkylbenzene, is hydrogenated by reaction with hydrogen in the presence of a Group IVa or Va metal hydride catalyst. The catalyst may be a simple hydride such as ZrH 2 or a hydride of an alloy such as Cu 3 Zr or may be a complex material. One complex material is the reaction product of a Group IVa or Va metal halide, such as ZrCl 4 with an alkyllithium or aryllithium, such as n-butyllithium, in a hydrocarbon solvent. |