Research on optimization of the synthesis endo-tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene from dicyclopentadiene

Endo-tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene (endo-THDCPD) serves as a crucial precursor in the synthesis of exo-tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene (exo-THDCPD), the primary component of JP-10 , a single-component hydrocarbon fuel utilized for high-performance cruise missiles, rockets, and supersonic aircraft propulsion. Endo-THDCPD was synthesized through the hydrogenation reaction of dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) using a Pd/C catalyst. In this study, optimal conditions for the hydrogenation process have been thoroughly investigated. Specifically, the reaction is carried out in n-hexane solvent at a reaction temperature of 90 °C, a total H2 pressure of 0.5 MPa, a reaction time of 4 hours, and a catalyst/DCPD mass ratio of 10%.