Continental Oil Company

Thomas E Goodwin

Charles M Starks

A method of preparing hydrocarbyl-substituted cresols is disclosed. The method comprises heating a mixture of mono- or di-hydrocarbyl-substituted cresols and an alcohol, which is benzyl alcohol or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 aliphatic alcohol, at an elevated temperature in the presence of a catalytic amount of alumina. The product contains at least one hydrocarbyl substituent corresponding to the hydrocarbon moiety of the alcohol used in the process. A typical process employs 4,6-di-t-butyl-m-cresol and isopropanol to prepare a product mixture containing a substantial amount of thymol.

Method of preparing hydrocarbyl-substituted cresols

A process for preparing cresols from di-hydrocarbyl-substituted cresols, wherein the hydrocarbyl groups contain from 3 to 7 carbon atoms, is disclosed. In the process the di-hydrocarbyl-substituted cresol is contacted with a catalyst (e.g. alumina) in the liquid phase at elevated temperatures and pressure. 4,6-di-t-butyl-m-cresol is a typical feedstock.

Preparation of cresols

A method of preparing methyl-substituted phenols is disclosed. The method comprises heating a mixture of mono- or di-hydrocarbyl-substituted cresols and methanol at an elevated temperature in the presence of a catalytic amount of magnesium oxide.

Preparation of methyl-substituted phenols

Alkyl substituted 1,3-dimethylbenzenes are prepared by reacting a mixture of acetone and 1-alkanols over a catalyst, which preferably is alumina, at elevated temperatures and pressures. Preferably, the product contains substantial amounts of penta- and hexaalkylbenzenes.

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College Station, TX, United States of America

Thomas E Goodwin