Process for the ortho alkylation of phenols using aldehydes and hydrogen in the presence of a copper-chromium catalyst

A process for the selective ortho-alkylation of a phenolic compound of the general formula:

• ##STR4## wherein each R is a monovalent substitutent 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 about 185.degree. to about 400.degree. C in the presence of a copper-chromium oxide catalyst said phenolic compound with hydrogen and an aldehyde represented by the formula ##STR5## wherein R' is hydrogen or an alkyl or alkenyl radical of up to about 12 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain, with said copper-chromium oxide catalyst being chosen from the group consisting of crystalline copper chromites, amorphous mixed oxides of copper and chromium, and mixtures thereof.