General Electric Company

John J Kokoszka

James G Bennett, Jr

Richard Anthony Battista

Freddie L Tungate

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 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

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.

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Delmar, NY, United States of America

John J Kokoszka