Method for producing parathymol

摘要

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of 4-isopropyl-3-methylphenol (p-thymol) from distillation residues of thymol production.

主权项

1. A process for the preparation of 4-isopropyl-3-methylphenol from reaction mixtures which are obtained during the reaction of meta-cresol with propene in the presence of a catalyst, characterized in that
a) thymol and unreacted meta-cresol are removed by distillation from the reaction mixture, giving a distillation residue that has a fraction of thymol and metacresol, when taken together in total 80%, b) crude 4-isopropyl-3-methylphenol is obtained by crystallization from the distillation residue remaining from step a), and c) the crude 4-isopropyl-3-methylphenol obtained according to step b) is treated with an organic solvent which consists of at least 80% by weight of hydrocarbons or halogenated hydrocarbons or a mixture thereof.