Racemization of an Optically Active Olefin during Catalytic

Anal. Calcd. for C18HI8N1:C, 71.45; H, 6.25. Found : C, 74.16; H, 6.21. DIVISIONOF ENTOiifOLOGY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORSIA CITRUSEXPERIMEXT STATIOS RIVERSIDE, CALIFORSIA

Racemization of an Optically Active Olefin during Catalytic Hydrogenation 13.; DONALD J. CRAM RECEIVED MAY21, 1952

The syntheses and relative configurations of optically pure (-)-3-phenyl-l-butene ( I ) and ( - j2-phenylbutane (11)have been previously reported. I t has now been observed that when I is reduced catalytically t o gii-e IT, from I to 117:, loss of CAa--~H--CH=CHt

CH-~II--CH2-CHa

.+

I

I

CsH,

u

( 2 ) I ~ r t t r i i n It C l i r r n i - t r y 1 n i i e r 5 i t y i i f Illinoi\ T r b n n a 11 I,,i,>,i