Synthesis of Tetrahydronapthalene (Tetralin)

[elementcollector1]

I would like to produce some tetralin for use as a solvent in a reaction I'm planning to do.

I have pure napthalene, and the Wiki page on tetralin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetralin) states that it is produced by the catalytic hydrogenation of napthalene. I ordered a platinum wire recently that can act as catalyst, but I don't want to hydrogenate the napthalene past tetralin and all the way to decalin. How do I prevent this from happening?

Procedure:

1)Melt naptha in a 2-necked, glass jointed flask, with the Pt wire already in the flask. An adapter is attached to one neck with a rubber hose leading to a cathode in an epsom salt solution.

2) Begin bubbling hydrogen through the mix. Excess hydrogen is allowed to escape via the second neck of the flask.

3) When hydrogenation to tetralin is complete (how to tell?), turn off all power sources, including the battery for the electrolytic hydrogen. Remove the flask from the heat source, and allow to cool.

4) Unreacted napthalene should precipitate out as it solidifies, leaving tetralin as a liquid.

[John Cuthber]

Pt wire isn't going to do a very good job as a catalyst. It doesn't have enough surface area.

[elementcollector1]

I have nickel, and possibly other metals. The nickel has a high surface area, but it's said to only work at higher temperatures.