Mitsui Toatsu Chemicals, Incorporated

Fukuichi Aoki

Takeshi Tsuda

Motoo Kawamata

Makoto Kotani

Kazushi Ohshima

Akihide Kudoh

This invention relates to a process for the selective ortho-alkylation of a phenolic compound having at least one ortho-positioned hydrogen atom by catalytically reacting the phenolic compound with an alcohol in the vapor phase. In this process, the reaction of the phenolic compound with the alcohol is carried out at a temperature of from 300.degree. to 550.degree. C. in the presence of a catalyst containing manganese oxide and one or more additives selected from group (A) consisting of germanium oxide, tin oxide and lead oxide, or a catalyst containing manganese oxide, one or more additives selected from the aforesaid group (A), and one or more additives selected from group (B) consisting of alkali metal oxides and alkaline earth metal oxides. The catalyst used in this invention exhibits not only excellent catalytic activity in the selective ortho-alkylation of phenols, continuous stability of the activity, good shapeability and good mechanical strength but also effective utilization of alcohols.

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Yokohama, Japan

Fukuichi Aoki