Process for purifying a 2,6-dialkylphenol

A process for the purification of impure 2,6-diisopropylphenol which comprises:

• a) conducting a first continuous distillation by continuously feeding impure 2,6-diisopropylphenol at a first controlled rate, into an intermediate zone of a single distillation column having an inert environment therein;
• b) continuously collecting a first overhead distillate of one or more impurities, and continuously collecting first column bottoms enriched in 2,6-diisopropylphenol;
• c) cooling and storing the collected first column bottoms while maintaining the same in an inert environment;
• d) discontinuing said feed;
• e) conducting a second continuous distillation by continuously feeding the stored first column bottoms at a second controlled rate, into an intermediate zone of the same single distillation column having an inert environment therein;
• f) continuously collecting a purified 2,6-diisopropylphenol overhead distillate, and continuously collecting second column bottoms;
• and
• g) cooling the collected purified 2,6-diisopropylphenol overhead distillate in an inert environment;
• said first controlled rate of feed being substantially equivalent to the combined rate at which said first overhead distillate and said first column bottoms are being collected in said first continuous distillation;
• and said second controlled rate of feed being substantially equivalent to the combined rate at which said purified 2,6-diisopropylphenol overhead distillate and said second column bottoms are being collected in said second continuous distillation.