General Electric Company

Beth A Watson

Narsi Devanathan

A method for making 2,6-xylenol is described. One embodiment of the method comprises: preparing a magnesium-based solid catalyst composition by dry-blending basic magnesium carbonate with at least one filler; forming the catalyst composition into a suitable catalyst-shape; calcining the shaped catalyst at a temperature in the range of about 350&deg; C. to about 550&deg; C.; and reacting phenol and methanol in the presence of the catalyst, to form 2,6-xylenol. The level of chlorides in the magnesium carbonate is less than about 250 ppm, and the level of calcium in the magnesium carbonate is less than about 2,500 ppm.

Method for making 2,6-xylenol

A method for preparing a polyphenylene ether resin is described. In one embodiment the method comprises: preparing a magnesium-based alkylation catalyst, by dry-blending at least one filler with a magnesium reagent which yields magnesium oxide upon calcination; calcining the alkylation catalyst; reacting a phenolic compound and an alkyl alcohol in the presence of the alkylation catalyst, to form a 2,6-alkyl-disubstituted phenolic compound; and oxidatively coupling the 2,6-alkyl-disubstituted phenolic compound in the presence of a suitable polymerization catalyst, to form the polyphenylene ether resin.

Methods for preparing polyphenylene ether resin

A method for preparing a solid catalyst composition is described. A magnesium reagent which yields magnesium oxide upon calcination, and which includes reduced levels of chlorides and calcium, is dry-blended with at least one filler. Dry-blending is usually carried out in the absence of a promoter. A method for selectively alkylating at least one hydroxyaromatic compound by using the catalyst is also described. A typical product is 2,6-xylenol. Related processes for preparing polyphenylene ethers are described.

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East Greenbush, NY, United States of America

Beth A Watson