Process for preparing thymol

摘要

Thymol can be prepared on a continuous basis by reacting m-cresol with propylene and/or compounds which eliminate propylene, over aluminum oxide catalysts in the presence of a nitrogen base. The aluminum oxide catalyst is an active or activated hydrated aluminum oxide having a particle size between 0.5 and 20 mm, a BET surface area of at least 200 m2/g, a porosity equal to or greater than 0.5 mm/g, a boehmite content of 5 to 40 percent by weight, and an X-ray spectrum which shows the reflections of gamma -alumina wherein the content of microcrystalline constituents is less than 50 percent by weight.