This looks interesting :)
Patent US3379768 (http://l2.espacenet.com/dips/viewer?PN=US3379768&CY=gb&LG=en&DB=EPD)
Abstract :
Hydratropic aldehyde is prepared by ozonizing the linear dimer of styrene and decomposing with a palladium catalyst in an aqueous medium containing suitable organic solvents. The hydratropic aldehyde is separated from benzaldehyde, which is also produced by the present process, in a pure state suitable for use in perfumes.
(https://www.thevespiary.org/rhodium/Rhodium/hive/hiveboard/picproxie_docs/000320196-file_vbny.jpg)
And what can hydratropic aldehyde be easily converted to ???? yes P2P ;)
John Lennon - Working Class Hero
Most organic ozonides are explosive, as for the ozonide formed here I just can't say either way.
I can only assume that the palladium used decomposes the ozonide in a controlled tame fashion.
Ozone can be easy generated by exposing oxygen to ultra violet light, see here for more info :
http://www.ozonegeneratorairpurifierwastewatertreatmentpurification.com/ozone.htm (http://www.ozonegeneratorairpurifierwastewatertreatmentpurification.com/ozone.htm)
If this ozonide stage could be replaced by another method, we would have ourselves a great bulk method for the production of P2P using easily available chemicals.
Can anybody describe how a "Flash Distillation" is performed ?
John Lennon - Working Class Hero
http://www.cordis.lu/tmr/src/grants/fmbi/960833.htm (http://www.cordis.lu/tmr/src/grants/fmbi/960833.htm)
http://www.unil.ch/cost/chem/docs/D10/d10-01-98.htm (http://www.unil.ch/cost/chem/docs/D10/d10-01-98.htm)
"A Novel Synthetic Method of Hydratropic Aldehyde", maybe someone has access to this doc or a translation ?
http://periodicals.wanfangdata.com.cn/qikan/periodical/gdxxhxxb/gdxx2001/0108/0108mle.htm (http://periodicals.wanfangdata.com.cn/qikan/periodical/gdxxhxxb/gdxx2001/0108/0108mle.htm)
John Lennon - Working Class Hero
Ozone is bubbled though a solution of the alkene in carbon tetrachloride.
(https://www.thevespiary.org/rhodium/Rhodium/hive/hiveboard/picproxie_docs/000320196-file_hrp6.gif)
Oxidation of alkenes through ozonides.
(https://www.thevespiary.org/rhodium/Rhodium/hive/hiveboard/picproxie_docs/000320196-file_8hfi.gif)
Ozonolysis of an olefin :
http://www.ch.ic.ac.uk/local/organic/18.html (http://www.ch.ic.ac.uk/local/organic/18.html)
Comment :
So it seems that palladium can be replaced with sulphuric acid (according to patent), or the reduction/degradation can be performed with Zinc powder.
John Lennon - Working Class Hero