GB497721A - Manufacture of aromatic compounds alkylated in the nucleus - Google Patents

Abstract

Aromatic hydroxyl compounds alkylated in the nucleus are prepared by interaction of a liquid or molten aromatic hydroxyl compound with an olefine containing at least four carbon atoms, in the presence of boron trifluoride in solution in the liquid reaction mixture at a temperature below 100 DEG C. and at atmospheric pressure. Usually, about one per cent of boron trifluoride is sufficient for the alkylation, whilst more than one alkyl group can be introduced into the nucleus by maintaining an appropriate proportion of olefine to hydroxyl compound. Examples describe the interaction of (1) phenol with di-isobutylene to give isooctyl-and di-isooctyl-phenol; (2) o-cresol with di-isobutylene, yielding a crystalline product; (3) phenol first with di-isobutylene and then with isobutylene, to form isobutyl-isooctyl-phenol; (4) phenol with isobutylene to give p-tert-butyl-phenol, which may contain some butyl - phenol - ether. British Specifications 307,802, [Class 2 (iii)], and 431,487, and U.S.A. Specification 2,008,032 also are referred to. The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 states that cycloalkyl radicles may be introduced in the same way and that the process may be operated in a continuous manner. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.