Pressure activation of magnesium oxide catalysts

摘要

A titanium oxide/magnesium sulfate/magnesium oxide catalyst which is an ortho-selective methylation catalyst can be made to exhibit higher conversion and activity index for phenol methylation by the application of pressure. The pressure can be applied throughout the methylation period or can be applied for a short time at the beginning of the methylation period and then ceased, while higher activity continues. The pressure activation effects are assisted by the presence of phenol, methanol and/or water.