CA1090828A - Process for the selective ortho-alkylation of a phenol in the presence of a copper-chromium catalyst - Google Patents

Process for the selective ortho-alkylation of a phenol in the presence of a copper-chromium catalyst

Info

Publication number
CA1090828A
CA1090828A CA275,373A CA275373A CA1090828A CA 1090828 A CA1090828 A CA 1090828A CA 275373 A CA275373 A CA 275373A CA 1090828 A CA1090828 A CA 1090828A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
phenol
catalyst
carbon atoms
copper
oxide
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
CA275,373A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
William E. Smith
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
General Electric Co
Original Assignee
General Electric Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by General Electric Co filed Critical General Electric Co
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1090828A publication Critical patent/CA1090828A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07CACYCLIC OR CARBOCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
    • C07C37/00Preparation of compounds having hydroxy or O-metal groups bound to a carbon atom of a six-membered aromatic ring
    • C07C37/11Preparation of compounds having hydroxy or O-metal groups bound to a carbon atom of a six-membered aromatic ring by reactions increasing the number of carbon atoms
    • C07C37/16Preparation of compounds having hydroxy or O-metal groups bound to a carbon atom of a six-membered aromatic ring by reactions increasing the number of carbon atoms by condensation involving hydroxy groups of phenols or alcohols or the ether or mineral ester group derived therefrom

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Organic Low-Molecular-Weight Compounds And Preparation Thereof (AREA)
  • Low-Molecular Organic Synthesis Reactions Using Catalysts (AREA)

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A process for selectively ortho-slkylating a phenolic compound which comprises reacting the phenolic compound with in alkanol in the presence of a copper-chromium catalyst.

Description

.~l~9(1~

This invention is directed to a process for selectively ortho-~lkylating 8 phenolic compound which comprises re~cting the phenolic compound with sn alkanol in the presence of a copper-ehromium cstalyst.

Background of the Invention It is well known in the art to alkyl~te phenols having Rt lea8t one unsubstituted ortho position. Many prior art processes have been disclosed as being non-selective and indiscrim~nate in regard to the nsture of the products that are formed. Winkler et al, U.S. 2,448,942, for example, discloses a process for the preparation o~ penta-substituted phenols. The Winkler et al patent mentions that one may employ either alcohol or methyl ether in the vapor phase using various metal oxides such as aluminum oxide, thorium oxide, zirconium oxide, zinc oxide, iron oxide, chromium oxide, barium oxide, manganese oxide, magneaium oxide, calcium oxide, etc. as the catalyst. Alumin~ is the preferred catalyst. The WLnkler et 81 process, however, i8 somewhat indiscrimlnate snd lacks specificity for ortho-alkylatlon to the relative exclusion of alkylstion in the meta- and para- positionæ.

Winkler et al teach that the reaction is carried out at super l atmospheric pressures at temperatures in the range of 300C. to about 450C. However, temperatures of above 430C. have been noted, e.g., in Hsmilton, U.S. 3,446,856, to cause 8 decrease in the yield of alkylated product. When phenol and methanol are reacted at temperatures above 450 C., Hamilton ~eaches that the production of hexsme~hyl benzene, a non-phenolic product, is favored. For reactions of methanol with phenol, xylenol or ¦ cresol, Hamilton stated that a temperature of about 350 to 430C. is 11 . . .

109~

favored in order to obtain high yields of alkylated p~oduct, while temperatures below 350C increase the yield of ether by-products.
Temperatures of above 450 C. snd superatmospheric pre~sures cause decom-position of the resctant and fsvor the production of unw~nted msterials.
The Hamilton process w88 based on the discovery that magneslum oxide wss a selective ortho-alkylation catalyst that was useful st at~ospheric pressure at a defined temperatura range.

U S. Patents 3,707,569 and 3,751,488 are ba~ed respectively, on the discoveries that certain tellurium-cont~ining compounds and molybdic acid salts are useful as selective ortho-alkylation catslysts. Further, U.S. Patent 3,764,630 describeS a method for selectively alkylating a - phenol compound with an alkanol in the presence of wster and a catalytically active compound such as molybdenum oxide and alkali metal, alkaline ear~h metal, lead,bismuth and ammonium salts of molybdic acid in admixture with i magnesium oxide. Also, U.S. Patent 3,843,606 discloses a catalyst which is porous magnesium oxide powder bonded with an inert organic cellulosic polymeric binder ior use in selective alkylation of phenols. L~stly, U.S. Patent 3,873,628 discloses mixtures of magne~ium oxide and manganese sulfate as useful catalysts for ortho-alkyla~ion of phenols.
!

Ortho-alkylated phenols have valuable properties. They are particularly useful as the starting material for the manufacture of polysrylene ethers such as polyphenylene oxide, a valuable thermoplastic Il resin disclosed and claimed, for example, in A. S. Hay's U.S. Patent 1 3,306,875.

1S)9~1~Z8 Description of the In~Lntion .
It has now been discovered that a copper-chromium composition may be used aa a relatively lo~ temperature alkylation catalyst ~hat provides high selectivlty with respect to substltution in the ortho position in the reaction of phenols and alkanols. The high selectivity and the relatively mild conditions of this process make it a promising approach toward solving the problems of unsatisfactory alcohol utilization and short catalyst life associated with prior art methods.

According to this invention, there is provided a selective process for the ortho-alkylation of a phenolic compound of the general formula:

R~ R

wherein each R is a monovalent substituent selected from the group consist-ing of hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 12 carbon atoms, aryl of 6 to 12 carbon atoms and alkaryl of 7 to 12 carbon atoms, the process comprising reacting said phenolic compound with a lower alkanol in the presence of a copper~
chromium catalyst. Examples of these substituents include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, phenyl, o-methylphenyl, p-methylphenyl, 2,6-xylyl, and the like.
Especially useful starting materials are phenol, o-cresol, m~cresol, p-cresol, o-phenylphenol and 3,5-xylenol. The preferred embodiment of the process is carried out using phenol, ortho cresol, or a mixture of the two as the phenolic~starting material.
I
Suitable alkanols ~ay be represented by the formula:
Rl - OH

. . .
~ _3_ .: .
'...:"
. . . _.._ __. .

I ~ 30~
I
, whereln Rl is a saturated alkyl of up to about 12 carbon atoms, straight chain or branched chain. Illustra~ive alkanols are those wherein Rl i~
i methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, haxyl, octyl, 2-ethylhexyl, i decyl, dodecyl. Preferred alkanols are lower primary and secondary 5 1 alkanols, i.e., those in which Rl contains from 1 to 6 carbon atoms such as me~hyl, ethyl, propyl, isooropyl, butyl, isobutyl, amyl and hexyl alcohols. Methanol is the preferred alkanol.

In order to obtain the maximum yield of ortho-alkylated products, it is preferred to use at least 0.5 mole of alkanol, and preferably from 1 to 3 moles of alkanol for each ortho ~osition hydrogen in the phenolic compound to be alkylated. For example, if phenol is to be methylated to produce a maximum yield of 2,6-xylenol (2,6-di~ethylphenol), it is ¦ preferred to use at least 2 moles and especially preferred to use from ¦ 2 to 5 moles of methanol for each mole of phenol. 0f course, if the phenolic compound is already mono-substituted in one of the ortho-positions, maximum yields will be obtained with at least one mole of alkanol, e.g., methanol, per mole of phenolic compound, e.g., ortho-cresol.
The catslysts of the instant invention are copper-chromium oxide COmpQSitions~ either as amorphous mixed oxides, or as crystalline copper chromite sub~tances such as those described in ~. Charcosset et al, Co~
Rend: 254, 2990-2 (1962), or ~s mixtures of the amorphous and crystalline substances. The copper-Ghromium catalysts of the ins~ant invention can be varied in composi~ion from about 0.05 parts to about 10 parts of copper per part of ~hromium. In a preferred embodiment, the copper-chromium ; oxide compositions are promoted by the presence of a component selected ¦ from the oxides and hydroxides of the Group I, II or lII metals, ~¦ manganeseS iron and mixtures thereof. These promoters can constitute ., Il - 4 -li ':

~ ~ 8CH-2415 from about 3 to about 95~ of the catalyst composition.
The catalysts of the instant invention may be prepared by a number of different methods, such as those described in U.S. 3,899,~46, for example. An Example in this Patent describes the preparation of a copper-chromium-zinc mixed oxide composition, which after reduction is effective in bringing about the selective ortho methylation of phenol and ortho cresol by methanol at substantially lower temperatures than in the cases of the prior art catalysts. Alternatively, standard copper chromite or copper chromite precursor compositions can be promoted by impregnation with suitable metal oxides, hydroxides, carbonates, formates and the like and heating in place. In another method, copper and chromium oxides can be coprecipitated with such other promoters as zinc oxide, barium oxide, manganese oxide, cadmium oxide, magnesium oxide and the like.
In another variation, the catalyst of the instant invention can be composed of mixed pellet types. For example, a bed of copper chromite pellets mixed with magnesium oxide or zinc oxide pellets can be employed.
The catalyst is preferably used in the form of a bed through which the reactants are passed in the vapor phase.
Preferred pressures are in the range from about atmospheric to about 5 atmospheres.
The instant process is carried out at a temperature of at least 185C. The optimum alkylation temperature is in the range of from 185C. to about 350C.
The instant process may be carried out using a variety of reactors with varying flow rates of the reactants, varying vapor space velocities of the reactants and length of the catalyst bed. Tubular reactors, such as a glass or a metal tube filled ~ith a bed of the catalyst may be employed. The reactor is heated with conventional means either by surrounding the reactor with an electrical heater, a heated ¦ gas, or a fused salt bath, liquid metal, etc., which can be conveniently maintained at reaction temperature by the use of immersion type electrical heaters. Altern~tively, a fluid bed reactor may be used. The alkylation reaction is exothermic and, therefore, the heat of reaction l can be utilized to maintain the catalyst bed at the proper reactiDn lO ¦ temperature.

¦ The techniques are conventional and reference is made to the above-mentioned patents.

In carrying out an alkylation in accordance with the invention, a~y one or a mixture of phenols having an ortho hydrogen together with lS an alkanol may be vaporized and passed through a reactor heated to a temperature of st least 185C. containing the copper-chromium catalyst of the invention. The alkanol can be mixed with the phenol to form a solution which is then vaporized or separate streams of the two reactants l may be fed to the same or separate vaporizers and then to said reactor.
Also, the reactants may be passed through ~he catalyst bed with a hydrogen carrier gas, for example.

The vapors issuing from tbe reactor are condensed in the usual fashion and the products ~eparated in the usual fashion, for example, by ¦ crystallizatio~, distillation, etc.

. ' 11 ,.
;~4..~

_. .
~ ' ~

1()9i~lzt~ 1 8C~-2415 Description oi the Preferred Embodi ent The following example~ are set forth to illustrate mora clearly the principle and prac~ice of this invention to thoae skilled in the art.
Unless otherwise specified, where parts or percents are mentioned, ~hey -5 are par~s or percents by weight.
EXAMPLE I
_ ' This example is presented to demonstrate the llmited ut~lity in orthomethylation of phenols of a copper chromit~ cataly6t in which l no alkylating component has been incorporated.

A vertical hot tube reactor (16 mm ID x 70 cm effective length) was constructed from hesvy wall glsss, with 24/40 male and female ~OintB.
Vigreaux points were indented just above the male ~oint to support catalyst pellets. Thermocouple leads were fastened into three other Vigreaux indentations at points along the length. Three 4 ft. x 1 in.
15 ~ Bris~heat gl8ss insulating he~ting tapes were wound on~o the tube, covered with glass wool and glass tape, and connected to ~eparate variable trans-formers. The tube exit was connected by a gooseneck (also heated~ to an efficient condenser and collection vessel. A three-necked flask served as the evaporator, with the reactants sdded through a side neck by a syringe pump.

The reactor wa8 charged with 193 grams (130 ml.) o~ copper chromite catalyst (Girdler G-13 3/16 x 3/16 in. tablets co~posed of 40%
Cu, 25.5% Cr and the remainder oxide oxygen). The bed was sctivated by heating under a hydrogen-nitrogen stream, with care taken to control the Z5 ¦ eYotherm mxim~m eemperat~re 30 ~C ).

L : ~
. ..

1090~

The reactor temperature was maintsined at 250C. while a methanol-phenol mixture (5:1 molar ratio) was psssed into the evsporator at 36 ml/hr. (L~SV=0.28) with a 130 ml/min. hydrogen carrier. The cond~nsed effluent contained some methylation products -- analysis by gas-liquid partition chromatography (glpc) showed the presence of o-cresol (about 5% conversion) along with ~mall amounts (about 1% con-version) of anisole and p-cresol, and a trace of 2,6-xylenol. Gas evolution by decomposition of the methsnol was substantial.

On raising the reactor tempersture to 275, 300 and 325C., the phenol conversion increased to levels of abou~ lO~h, 20% and 25%, respectively. The selectivity to o-cresol and 2,6-xylenol remained relatively poor. At 325C. psrticularly the methanol decompositlon wa~
nearly complete.

I EXAMPLE II

¦ This example is presented to demonstrate the efiect of using an alkylating co-catalyst in conjunction with the copper chromite in the methylation process.

The reactor described in Example I was charged with mixed equal volumes (70 ml. esch) af the copper chromite (Girdler G-13) snd magnesium . ~r1 oxide (E~rshsw Mg 06019 1/8 in. t~blets). After activatlon of the bet the 5:1 methanol-phenol and hydrogen carrier were passed through as in Example I, initially at 250C. Analysi3 of the effluent showed that an efficient conversion to o-cresol and 2,6-~ylenol had been effected. The phenolic composition (mole percentages) of the condensate on steady state ~5 operation at several temperatures is summarized in Table 1.

,. ~ ~ ~

~,~ 3~

T~ble 1.

Methylation of Phenol Using Copper Chromite - and Magnesis o-Catalysts T. C. Phenol~ /0 o-CresoL J0 2~,6-Xylenol, % Mesitol. %

250 60.7 30.4 8.9 300 40.3 34.9 24.6 0.2 325 ~1.1 37.3 31,1 0.5 l .
EXAMPLE III

l The reactor and catalyst bed described in Example II wa~
¦ operated with a liquid feed composed of methanol and o-cresol in 2:1 ratio passed into the evapor2tor at 36 ml/hr. The phenolic product composition of the condensate on steady state operation at several temperatures is summarized in Tsble 2.

~able 2.

Methylation of o-Cresol Using Copper Chromite ¦ _snd Magnesia Co-Catalysts ¦ Phenolic Composition j T. C o-Cresol, % 2.6-XYlenol. /0 Mesitol~ %

250 78.0 22.0 300 58.1 41.4 0.5 325 51.4 47.1 1.5 EXAMPLE IV
l .
¦ 'rhls example i8 presented to demon~trate the effect o~ ln-corporating an alkylating component into the copper chromite catalyst in the mathylation proces~.
., The Girdler G-13 copper chromite was impregnated with 10%
by weight of zinc formate, using an aqueous ~olution of the fonmate and a rotary evaporation technique. The re~ctor de~cribed in Example I was charged with 130 ml. of the impregnated c~talyst. Activ~tion under hydrogen at 250 produced a catalyst containing zinc oxide (sbout 5~/O by weight relative to the initial copper chromite, produced by decomposition of ~he zinc formate).

With the operating temperature m~intained at 250C., the 5:1 methanol-phenol wa~ pacsed in at 36 ml/hr. ~ith the 130 ml/min.
¦ hydrogen carrier. A 6teady state wa~ reached after sbout æix hours, at which time the phenolic composition of the condensed effluent was 38.7% phenol, 37.3% o-cresol, 23 9% 2,6-xylenol and 0.1% mesitol~ The efficiency remained at essentislly the same level over 200 hours of operation.
EX~`~LE V
The catalyst bed described in Example IV was maintained at 270C. while a mixture of methanol, phenol and o-cregol in 4 0 0.6:0.4.
¦ molar proportions (and 3% by weight) was passed through with the hydrogen csrrier gas at 72 ml/hr. ~LHSV=0.55). Analysis of the steady state effluent under these conditions indicated a phenolic composition of 30.7% phenol, 45.9% o-cresol and 23.4% 2,6-xylenol. Analysis of the unconden3ed effluent revealed the presence of carbon dioxide ~nd carbon mono~ide in 1.7:1 rstio, a trace of methsne, and the hydrogen present as the c~rrier snd a~ a methanol decomposition produc~.

EXAMPLES VI-IX

Metal hydroxide-promoted (about 5% by weight) copper chromite . -10-~-, 11~'30f:~Z~ ~

catalysts were prepared by impregnating the copper chromite tablets with the corresponding metal formates (magnesium formate, aodium ~ormate, calcium formate and lithium formate) and pyroly~ing the c~taly~ts in place (maximum temperature 300C ) during activation under hydrogen. The S catalyst bed in each case was then maintained at 250C while the 5:1 me~hsnol-phenol mixture was passed in at 36 ml/hr. along with the hydrogen carrier gas. The phenolic composition in the effluent wa~ determlned by glpc anslysis at the one-hour point with each cflt~lyst. The results are summari~ed in Table 3. In each case the catalyst activity gradu~lly ¦ decreased, reaching relatively low levels within 24 hours of operation.

Table 3 Methylation of Phenol Using Metal Hydroxide Impregn~ted Cop~er Chrom~te Catalysts Phenol ComPOSitiOn Example Impre~nant Phenol,% o-Cresol,% 2,6-XYlenol.% Mesitol,%
Mg(OH)2 58.729.8 11.5 6 NaOH 54.534.6 10.9 7 Ca(0~)2 22.832.2 43.2 1.8 8 LiOH 5.0 9.6 66 19.4 Exampte X

The 5:1 methanol-phenol feed was passed into the reactor charged wi~h 130 ml. of Harshaw barium oxide "stabilized" copper chromite Cu 1107 (1/8 in. tablets containing 33% CuO, 38% Cr203 and 9% BaO) as in the sbove example~ with the bed temperature maintained at 2500C The phenolic ¦ composition of the effluent at a steady state was 69.8% phenol, 26.5%

~ -11-. ~_ ¦ 8CH-2415 o-cresol and 3.7% 2,6-xylenol. Small amounts of anisoles and rlng hydrogenated products (about 3% total) were also detected, ¦ Exsmplle XI

l A ca~alyst was prepared by impregnating copper chromite (Girdler 5 ¦ G-13, see Example I) with 10% by weight of aluminum isopropoxide, using an isopropanol solution of the impregnant and ~ rotary evaporation technique. The dried catalyst was activated with hydrogen in place a8 in the above examples, then was converted to an "alumina"-modified form by l trestment with 8 5:1 methanol-phenol feed containing 5% oi water by weight, psssed in at 36 ml/hr. with the hydrogen carrier ga~, the opexating tempera-ture being maintained at 250. The phenolic composition of the steady state effluent was 53.5% phenol, 34.6% o-cresol, and 11.9% 2,6-xylenol.

Example XII

¦ The reactor described in Example I was charged with 2i6 grams I (130 ml.) of a catalyst co~posed of 52% Zn, 5.7% Cu~ 13% Cr and the remainder oxide oxygen (Girdler T-359, pieces averaging about 3/16 x 3/16 in.) After activation under hydrogen, the bed was maintained at 280C while the 5:1 methanol-phenol feed was passed in at 36 ml/hr. The ste&dy state ¦ phenolic compo~ition in the effluent was 60.6% phenol, 34.4% o-cresol and 1 5.0% 2,6-xylenol.
I' Example XIII

The 5:1 methanol-phenol feed was pas~ed into a bed of 206 grams (130 ml.) of catalyst containing, before activation, 16% Cu, 32% Cr and 25%

Cd as the oxide~ (Girdler T 988, 3/16 x 3/16 in. pellets). The methylation process was slow at 250C; about 2% o-cres~l was formed at Che LHSV of 0.28.

11 ~

At 325 the phenolic composi~ion in the effluent ~as 49.2% phenol, 32,7%
o-cresol and 18.1% 2,6-xylenol.

Exam,~e XIV
I
l The reactor described in Example I was charged with 130 ml. of ¦ Girdler G-89 ca~alyst having a nominal compositlon oP 38% Cu, 31% Cr and 3% Mn as oxides. Aftsr activation, the 5:1 methanol-phenol mixture was passed in at 36 ml/hr~ with hydrogen as in the above examples. The results with steady state operation at several temperatures are summarized l in Table 4.

Table 4 ¦ Mathylation of Phenol Using Cu-Cr-Mn Catalyst Phenolic_Com~osition ¦I T, C Phenol, % o-CresDl, % ~2~ 6-XY1 ol,_'~ Mesitol %
Il 250 63,3 31.1 5.6 l 275 35.5 ~2.5 22.0 300 2~.0 44.0 29.7 0.3 325 15.0 42.9 40.8 1.2 The phenolic products were accompsnied by small amounts (about ¦ 3% total) of anisoles and ring hydrogenation products. No undecomposed ¦ methanol was detected in the effluent st 325C.

~ Exsmple XV

¦ A barium oxide-stabilized copper chromite cataly~t (3/16 in.
tsblets composed of 34.0% Cu, 30.7% Cr and 5.7% Ba as oxides) was impregnated with 10% by welght of 7inc forma~e and pyrolyzed in place as in Example IV. A mixture of ethanol and phenol (5:1 molar ratio, containing 4~ water) was passed through a 130 ml. bed of the activated catalyst maintained at 250 at 36 ml/hr. with ~he usual hydrogen carrier gas. Th~
steady state effluent contained, according to glpc analysis, acetaldehyde (minor), ethanol, water, and the ph~nolic derivatives phenol (62.0%),
2-ethylphenol (29.8%) and 2,6-diethylphenol (8.2%) (molar percentages).
Very small amounts (1% or less) of 4-ethylphenol, 2,4-diethylphenol and 2,4,6-triethylphenol were also detected and characterized.

Example XVI

The catalyst bed described in Example XV was maintained at 300 ¦ while a 3:1 molar mixture of allyl alcohol and phenol (and 4.5% water) was passed into the evaporator at 36 ml/hr. Analysis of the effluent indicated a phenolic composition of 72.4% phenol9 24.6% 2-n-propylphe~ol and 3.0% 2,6-di-n-propylphenol. No allylphenol or other unsaturated derivatives were detected.
Ij 15 ¦ Example XVII

¦ A catalyst was prepared by grinding the copper-chromite ¦I composition described in Example XV, blending the resultant powder with an ¦~ equal weight of zinc oxide powder, and tableting the blend using 5% by ¦ weight of Dow Methogel HG65. The pellets were calcined at 800F then activated with hydrogen and used with a 3:1 n-propanol-phenol feed at 300C

and L~SV=0.3. The phenolic composition at a steady state was 52.4% phenol, 30.1% 2-n-propylphenol, 15.5% 2,6-di-n-propylphenol and a total of about 2~ of p-substituted products.

~` ~
3~

8C~-2415 Obviously, other modifications and varia~ions of the present invention are possible in the light of ~he above teach1ngs. It is therefore to be under3tood that changes may be made in the particular embodiments of the invention described which are within ehe full intended scope of the i~vention ~ef ined by the appended clsis9.

r ~

Claims (8)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclu-sive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A process for the selective ortho-alkylation of a phenolic compound of the general formula:

wherein each R is a monovalent substituent selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 12 carbon atoms, aryl of 6 ot 12 carbon atoms and alkaryl of 7 to 12 carbon atoms, the process comprising reacting at a temperature of at least 185°C in the presence of a copper chromite catalyst said phenolic compound with an alkanol of 1 to about 12 carbon atoms.
2. A process for the selective ortho-alkylation of a phenolic compound of the general formula:

wherein each R is a monovalent substituent selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 12 carbon atoms, aryl of 6 to 12 carbon atoms and alkaryl of 7 to 12 carbon atoms, the process comprising reacting at a temperature of from 185°C to about 350°C in the presence of a copper chromite catalyst said phenolic compound with an alkanol of 1 to about 12 carbon atoms.
3. A process as-defined in claim 1 or 2 wherein each R is hydrogen.
4. A process as defined in claim 1 or 2 wherein the alkanol is methanol.
5. The process as defined in claim 1 wherein said catalyst is admixed with a promoter selected from the oxides of Group I, II or III metals, manganese and iron, and mixtures thereof.
6. The process as defined in claim 2 wherein said catalyst is admixed with a promoter selected from the oxides of Group I, II or III metals, manganese and iron, and mixtures thereof.
7. The process as defined in claim 5 or 6 wherein said catalyst and said promoter are each in pellet form.
8. The process as defined in claim 5 or 6 wherein the promoter is zinc oxide.
CA275,373A 1976-04-13 1977-04-01 Process for the selective ortho-alkylation of a phenol in the presence of a copper-chromium catalyst Expired CA1090828A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US67650376A 1976-04-13 1976-04-13
US676,503 1976-04-13

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1090828A true CA1090828A (en) 1980-12-02

Family

ID=24714792

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA275,373A Expired CA1090828A (en) 1976-04-13 1977-04-01 Process for the selective ortho-alkylation of a phenol in the presence of a copper-chromium catalyst

Country Status (8)

Country Link
JP (1) JPS52125134A (en)
AU (1) AU509924B2 (en)
BR (1) BR7702296A (en)
CA (1) CA1090828A (en)
DE (1) DE2716035A1 (en)
FR (1) FR2348178A1 (en)
GB (1) GB1522775A (en)
NL (1) NL7704055A (en)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5645428A (en) * 1979-09-21 1981-04-25 Mitsui Toatsu Chem Inc Preparation of o-alkylated phenol
DE3012357C2 (en) * 1980-03-29 1983-03-24 Union Rheinische Braunkohlen Kraftstoff AG, 5000 Köln Process and catalyst for the ortho-alkylation of phenols
DE3100734C2 (en) * 1980-03-29 1983-07-07 Union Rheinische Braunkohlen Kraftstoff AG, 5000 Köln Process for the o-alkylation of phenols
DE3406536A1 (en) * 1984-02-23 1985-09-05 Union Rheinische Braunkohlen Kraftstoff AG, 5000 Köln METHOD FOR CONVERTING META / PARA CRESOL MIXTURES
DE3524331A1 (en) * 1985-07-08 1987-01-08 Basf Ag METHOD FOR THE GAS PHASE ALKYLATION OF PHENOLS AND CATALYST SUITABLE FOR THIS

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1297110B (en) * 1966-08-08 1969-06-12 Union Rheinische Braunkohlen Process for the alkylation of phenols
GB1181437A (en) * 1966-09-30 1970-02-18 Shell Int Research Process for the preparation of 2,3,5-trimethyl phenol.
US3716589A (en) * 1968-11-27 1973-02-13 Agency Ind Science Techn Process for the synthesis of 2,6-dimethylphenols
US3718704A (en) * 1971-01-08 1973-02-27 Ashland Oil Inc Methylation process

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BR7702296A (en) 1978-05-09
JPS6127378B2 (en) 1986-06-25
AU2410077A (en) 1978-10-12
AU509924B2 (en) 1980-05-29
NL7704055A (en) 1977-10-17
JPS52125134A (en) 1977-10-20
DE2716035A1 (en) 1977-11-03
FR2348178A1 (en) 1977-11-10
GB1522775A (en) 1978-08-31

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3974229A (en) Preparation of ortho-alkylated phenols
US3972836A (en) Preparation of ortho-alkylated phenols
US4024195A (en) Process for alkylating the ortho-position of phenol compounds
US5144089A (en) 2-ethyl-2-hexenal by aldol condensation of butyraldehyde in a continuous process
US4041085A (en) Ortho-alkylation of phenols
US4329517A (en) Process for production of mono- or di-ortho-methyl-substituted phenols by catalytic methylation and catalyst therefor
US3873628A (en) Preparation of ortho-alkylated phenols
US4201880A (en) Preparation of ortho-alkylated phenols
CA1299199C (en) Preparation of alcohols from synthesis gas
US3843606A (en) Preparation of ortho-alkylated phenols
US5254743A (en) Solid bases as catalysts in aldol condensations
CA1090828A (en) Process for the selective ortho-alkylation of a phenol in the presence of a copper-chromium catalyst
US4048239A (en) Process for the ortho alkylation of phenols using aldehydes and hydrogen in the presence of a copper-chromium catalyst
US4208537A (en) Process for the selective ortho-alkylation of phenolic compounds
GB2072674A (en) O-methylation of phenols
US3972828A (en) Catalyst comprising magnesium oxide and a cellulosic polymeric binder
US4165439A (en) Process for the selective ortho-alkylation of a phenol in the presence of a copper-chromium catalyst
US4085150A (en) Process for the ortho alkylation of phenols in the presence of a copper-zinc-aluminum mixed oxide catalyst
US4675454A (en) Catalytic etherification of phenols to alkyl aryl ethers
US4097411A (en) Catalyst for preparation of ortho-alkylated phenols
US4482753A (en) Catalyst for use in the hydrogenolysis of methyl glycol formals
US5258558A (en) Direct conversion of butyraldehyde to 2-ethylhexanol-1
US3923907A (en) Process for the preparation of methylated phenols
US4876398A (en) Preparation of ortho-alkylated phenols in the presence of a catalyst prepared by co-precipitation process
US4900708A (en) Ortho-alkylation catalysts based on magnesium and prepared by calcining in presence of feed mixture of reactants

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
MKEX Expiry