Abstract
Ferric oxide and chromium oxide, were found as new alkylation catalysts of phenols. The activity and the selectivity of these oxide catalysts were examined by liquid-phase reaction. Methylation of phenol, cresol, xylenol, and α-naphthol was carried out in an autoclave at 400°, using methanol as an alkylating agent. The selective methylation of phenols to their ortho-position took place, and o-cresol and 2, 6-xylenol were obtained selectively from phenol. Their yield reached 70% after 5 hr. Ferric oxide was effective only in methanol, whereas chromium oxide was available for C1 to C4 alcohols. From the distribution of methylated products on various oxides, an outline of oxide-catalyzed alkylation was presented.
