Process for the synthesis of ortho-cresol, 2,6-xylenol and 2,3,6-trimethyl phenol.

摘要

Phenol is methylated over an alumina catalyst using methanol, and the reaction product therefrom is combined with additional methanol over a promoted magnesium oxide catalyst. Major reaction products are ortho-cresol, 2,6-xylenol and 2,3,6-trimethylphenol. The promoted magnesium oxide catalyst contains metal promoters selected from the group consisting of titanium, chromium, and uranium together with sulfate ions.