PURPOSE: To economically produce the title fluid by reacting acenaphthenes with styrenes in the presence of a solid acid catalyst such as silica-alumina to produce aralkylated acenaphthenes and completely hydrogenating the aralkylated acenaphthenes.
CONSTITUTION: A compound expressed by formula I is made to react with a compound expressed by formula II (R1 to R3 are H or 1-4C alkyl) in the presence of a solid acid catalyst such as silica-alumina at 90-200°C to produce a compound expressed by formula III in high yield and selectivity. Then the compound expressed by formula III is hydrogenated in an autoclave at 10-300°C and 30-200kg hydrogen pressure using a diatomaceous earth-supported Ni catalyst or a carbon-supported Ru catalyst, etc., to produce the title fluid consisting of a compound expressed by formula IV. According to the above-mentioned method, no waste acid is produced and no element derived from the catalyst is left in the final product. The method is excellent also in the industrial production of a synthetic functional fluid such as electric insulating oil or lubricating oil.
YAMAMOTO SEIJI
NARUSE YOSHIHIRO
