PURPOSE: To carry out the ortho-alkylation of a specific phenolic compound, in high selectivity, using a highly active, long-life catalyst obtained by adding germanium oxide, tin oxide, etc. and optionally an alkali or alkaline earth metal oxide to manganese oxide and silicon oxide.
CONSTITUTION: A phenolic compound of formula (R1WR4 are H, methyl, ethyl, etc.) having H atom at the ortho-position, is subjected to the vapor-phase catalytic reaction with an alcohol such as methyl alcohol to obtain the ortho-alkylated product of said phenolic compound (e.g. 2,6-xylenol). The reaction is carried out in the presence of a catalyst obtained by adding germanium oxide, tin oxide, lead oxide, and optionally an alkali or alkaline earth metal oxide to manganese oxide and silicon oxide. The catalyst also improves the effective rate of utilization of methanol.
USE: Raw material of heat-resistant resin (e.g. polyphenylene ether, etc.).
KAWAMATA MOTOO
OOSHIMA KAZUFUMI
KOTANI MAKOTO
TSUDA TAKESHI
MORITA SATOSHI
MITSUI PETROCHEMICAL IND