Abstract
The best reaction conditions for alkylation of phenol at the meta position was established by using C2C4 olefins as alkylating agents in the standpoint of conversion and m-alkylphenol yield to the starting material.
A gas flow system was adopted, and calcined kieselguhr-phosphoric acid was used as a catalyst. When ethylene was used as the alkylating agent, the most suitable reaction temperature was 420°C, and phenol was converted in 76.6% yield to ethylphenols, in which 44.10% was rn-ethylphenol.
Best results were obtained with propylene at 360°C, with butene-1 at 270°C and with isobutene at 250°C.
