Process for producing ortho-alkylated phenols from anisoles

A process for producing o-alkylated phenols comprising contacting an anisole represented by the formula ##STR6## wherein R.sub.0 represents alkyl radicals of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R.sub.1 R.sub.2, R.sub.3, and R.sub.4 represent hydrogen atoms, alkyl radicals of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and may be identical to or different from each other, with a mixed oxide catalyst in the vapor phase at a reaction temperature in the range of from 260.degree. C. to 480.degree. C. to selectively form an o-alkylated phenol, wherein said mixed oxide catalyst is a chromium oxide containing catalyst, a manganese oxide containing catalyst, an iron oxide containing catalyst, or a magnesium oxide containing catalyst;

• wherein said chromium oxide containing catalyst contains chromium oxide as the major component, and at least one member selected from the group consisting of tin oxide, iron oxide, manganese oxide, aluminium oxide, silicon oxide, boron oxide, alkali metal oxides, alkaline earth metal oxides and the sulfate group;
• wherein said manganese oxide containing catalyst contains manganese oxide as the major component, and at least one member selected from the group consisting of silicon oxide, alkali metal oxides, alkaline earth metal oxides, and the sulfates group;
• wherein said iron oxide containing catalyst contains iron oxide as the major component, and at least one member selected from the group consisting of silicon oxide, chromium oxide, zinc oxide, manganese oxide, vanadium oxide, alkali metal oxides, and alkaline earth metal oxides;
• and wherein said magnesium oxide containing catalyst contains magnesium oxide as the major component, and at least one member selected from the group consisting of tin oxide, copper oxide, lanthanide oxide, actinide oxide, bismuth oxide and boron oxide.