Mesophase pitches prepared from methylnaphthalene by the aid of HF/BF₃

Catalytic synthesis of mesophase pitch from methylnaphthalene was studied to clarify the influences of methyl group on the condensation reactivity of the aromatic hydrocarbons and properties of resultant mesophase pitch. The mesophase pitch of lower softening point and higher spinnability and stabilization reactivity was successfully prepared from methylnaphthalene by the aid of HF/BF₃. The mesophase pitch from methylnaphthalene carried a number of both methyl and naphthenic groups. Such groups in the mesophase pitch provide higher solubility in solvent, lower softening point and higher reactivity against oxygen. Removal of HS by 12 and 7 wt% from 1MNA and 2MNA, respectively, provided 100 vol% of anisotropy.