The Decomposition of Diacetone Alcohol and the Alkylation of Phenol with Methanol Catalyzed by MgO-Al₂O₃ Catalysts

Abstract

The catalytic activities of MgO-Al₂O₃ with various compositions for the title reactions have been examined. The MgO-Al₂O₃ of molar ratio 20 showed a maximum activity for the decomposition of diacetone alcohol when calcined at 400° C, the activity being greater than that of MgO. The activity was found to correlate with the basicity of the catalysts. The activity for the alkylation of phenol increased with increase of the MgO content, the highest activity being observed for MgO-Al₂O₃ of molar ratio 20 where the yield of o-cresol was 66 %. The activity was entirely different from that of MgO or Al₂O₃. The basicity of MgO-Al₂O₃ cor- related with the activity, but not with the selectivity.