Separation of meta(cyclo)alkylphenols - from mixts with para isomer by selective catalytic dealkylation

摘要

Meta(cyclo)alkyl phenols (I) are sepd. from a mixture with the corresp. para-isomer (II) by selective de-(cyclo)alkylation of the p-isomer by heating the mixture in the liq. phase in the presence of a catalyst comprising an acid and a clay, together with an aromatic hydro-carbon (III) with an available H atom in the nucleus, and fractionally distilling the product to recover a m-isomer rich fraction.