Production of 3-methylphenol

摘要

A four-step method for the selective production of the 1,3-isomer of methylphenol comprising the alkylation of toluene with propylene in the presence of a specified type of zeolite alkylation catalyst followed by the selective reaction, via a specified type of shape selective zeolite, of the 1,4-isomer of the alkylation product to leave the 1,3-isomer thereof in excess of equilibrium. Subsequent oxidation and acid catalyzed rearrangement results in desirably high yield of 3-methylphenol.