Process for the synthesis of 2,6-xylenol and 2,3,6-trimethylphenol
AssigneeConoco Inc.
InventorBruce E. Leach
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Abstract
Phenol is methylated over an alumina catalyst using methanol, and the reaction product therefrom is combined with additional methanol over a promoted magnesium oxide catalyst. Major reaction products are ortho-cresol, 2,6-xylenol and 2,3,6-trimethylphenol. The promoted magnesium oxide catalyst contains metal promoters selected from the group consisting of titanium, chromium, and uranium together with sulfate ions.
Claims11
An improved method for the direct methylation of phenol to produce predominately ortho-cresol, 2,6-xylenol, and 2,3,6-trimethylphenol, wherein phenol is methylated over alumina catalyst to produce a product stream, the improvement comprising passing the product stream through a second methylation over a catalyst in the presence of from about 1 to about 10 mole ratio of methanol at a temperature of from 400.degree. C. to about 500.degree. C., and a pressure of from about atmospheric to about 5 atmospheres, wherein the catalyst is magnesium oxide promoted with amorphous metal ions selected from the group consisting of titanium, uranium, and chromium and sulfate ions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.