Rate and Equilibrium Constants for the Reaction of Maleic Anhydride with the Methyl-1,2-Benzanthracenes2

Abstract

The adducts of maleic anhydride and 1,2-benzanthracene, 9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene and the twelve methyl-1,2-benzanthracenes were prepared. Second order rate constants for the reaction of these hydrocarbons with maleic anhydride in toluene at 100° C. were determined, as well as equilibrium constants at 180° in xylene. No correlation between these rate or equilibrium constants and recently determined carcinogenic activity of the hydrocarbons was observed.