Disproportionation of xylenols with phenol to form cresols
AssigneeContinental Oil Company
InventorBruce Eugene Leach
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Abstract
Xylenols are disproportionated with phenol over catalysts such as tungsten oxide promoted magnesium oxide, preferably in the presence of water. The reaction selectively removes methyl groups ortho to the hydroxyl group. Catalysts which can be used are magnesium oxide promoted with zinc oxide, tungsten oxide, and uranium oxide.
Claims8
An improved process for the conversion of xylenols to cresols by contacting said xylenols with phenol in the presence of magnesium oxide catalysts, the improvement comprising promoting the catalytic activity and catalyst life of magnesium oxide by adding a promotor selected from the group consisting of tungsten oxide or uranium oxide while carrying out the reaction in the vapor phase at temperatures of from about 350.degree. to about 550.degree. C and pressures up to about 1,000 pounds per square inch gauge.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.