General Electric Company

James G Bennett, Jr

Freddie L Tungate

Gregory R Chambers

John J Kokoszka

Glenn D Cooper

Richard Anthony Battista

Timothy D Shaffer

Mark R Denniston

Catalyst precursor compositions comprising a mixture of magnesium oxide or a source of magnesium oxide and a water insoluble zinc compound are described. The compositions are calcinable to a catalyst that is useful in reactions for the ortho-alkylation of phenols.

Zinc-containing ortho-alkylation catalyst precursor and catalyst, and

The invention provides a process for producing a polyphenylene ether by subjecting a 2,6-dialkyl-4-halophenol to oxygen in the presence of a water-immiscible solvent, an aqueous alkali, a phase transfer agent, and a molecular-weight-controlling amount of an amine having at least one hydrogen on the amine nitrogen. The polyphenylene ether thus produced has improved flow properties, color and odor, and is suitable for polymer blending with styrenic resins.

Polyphenylene ether process and resin composition

A catalyst precursor comprising a magnesium compound or material, optionally also containing other metal compounds, is activated for use by calcining at an elevated temperature in the presence of air or nitrogen, or under vacuum. The active catalyst which results may be used in processes for the ortho-alkylation of phenolic compounds, with good yields of and selectivity to the ortho-alkylated end product.

Magnesium-containing catalyst activated under vacuum, in nitrogen, or in

A catalyst precursor comprised of a dry admixture of manganese carbonate and at least one material selected from among magnesium carbonate, basic magnesium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide. The precursor is calcinable at elevated temperatures to an activated catalyst which may be used in a process for the ortho-alkylation of phenolic compounds.

Catalyst prepared from manganese carbonate and a magnesium compound

A catalyst precursor prepared by precipitating manganese hydroxide from caustic solution and then mixing the precipitate with a magnesium-containing material is described. The catalyst precursor can be calcined to an active form, and the resulting catalyst can be used to effect or facilitate the ortho-alkylation of phenolic compounds in vapor phase reactions. Superiority of performance is demonstrated with respect to a catalyst derived from a precursor in which manganese hydroxide is precipitated (sometimes referred to as 'co-precipitation') in the presence of a magnesium compound, rather than formed separately. y

Catalyst derived from mixture of manganese hydroxide and

Catalyst precursor prepared from manganese carbonate, and use of a

Hydroxyaromatic compounds such as phenol are alkylated with alkanols such as methanol in the presence of a catalyst comprising magnesium oxide with up to about 0.1% by weight of copper deposited thereon in a layer of submicroscopic thickness. The catalyst is prepared by preparing a slurry of a substantially water-insoluble magnesium reagent such as magnesium hydroxide or magnesium carbonate in an aqueous solution of at least one copper salt, removing and drying the solid phase, and calcining the same at a temperature within the range of about 350.degree.-550.degree. C. The catalyst promotes ortho-alkylation of the hydroxyaromatic compound in high yield, minimizes decomposition of the alkanol, and has long life.

Catalyst and method for ortho-alkylation of hydroxyaromatic compounds

Hydroxyaromatic compounds such as phenol are alkylated with alkanols such as methanol in the presence of a catalyst comprising an intimate blend of magnesium oxide and copper, the latter being present in an amount up to about 2% by weight, based on said magnesium oxide. The catalyst is prepared by blending a magnesium reagent and copper in elemental or (preferably) chemically combined form and calcining the same at a temperature within the range of about 350.degree.-550.degree. C. The catalyst promotes ortho-alkylation of the hydroxyaromatic compound in high yield, minimizes decomposition of the alkanol, and has long life.

Copper-magnesium catalyst and method for alkylation of hydroxyaromatic

Catalyst precursor prepared from manganese carbonate and a magnesium

A process for making ortho-alkylated phenols by reacting in the vapor phase an alkyl alcohol and a phenolic compound in the presence of an alkylation catalyst, said catalyst provided by a calcination residue of mixture comprising a magnesium-containing material and manganese hydroxide formed as a precipitate by bringing together an aqueous solution of a manganese salt and an aqueous solution of ammonium hydroxide in the presence of said magnesium-containing material.

Process for making ortho-alkylated phenols

Disclosed are a catalyst comprising a magnesium-containing moiety, a method for preparing the catalyst, and a process for the vapor phase ortho-alkylation of phenols in the presence of the catalyst.

Method of preparing a magnesium-manganese catalyst precursor and catalyst

A novel process is disclosed for the preparation of polyphenylene ethers by an oxidative coupling reaction. The process comprises oxidatively coupling a phenolic compound in the presence of a catalyst which comprises a copper complex of a copper compound with an N,N.sup.1 -disubstituted alkylene or cycloalkylene diamine having from 2 to 3 carbon atoms between the nitrogen atoms and whose substituents on the two nitrogens atoms are isopropyl or alpha tertiary alkyl, a tertiary amine, a secondary mono-amine and a bromine containing compound.

Method for preparing polyphenylene ethers

A novel process for the preparation of polyphenylene ethers is disclosed that is based on the addition of a polyethoxylated quaternary ammonium salt to the reaction mixture.

A novel method of separating a copper-amine catalyst from a polyphenylene ether reaction mixture is disclosed which is based on the use of 2,2'-dipyridyl to form an insoluble complex which may be readily separated from the reaction mixture.

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Glenmont, NY, United States of America

James G Bennett, Jr