Abstract: This invention is for a shaped, alkylation catalyst comprising magnesium oxide bonded with silica and to the use of the catalyst in a process for the ortho-alkylation of phenols. The process comprises the vapor phase reaction of a non-ortho-substituted phenol with an alcohol in the presence of a catalyst. The catalyst of the invention is an improvement over prior art catalysts used for ortho-alkylation of phenols as it substantially increases reaction selectivity, eliminates loss of catalyst arising with the use of powders or weakly sintered composites and has a substantially extended useful life.

Abstract: This invention is for a shaped, alkylation catalyst comprising magnesium oxide bonded with silica and to the use of the catalyst in a process for the ortho-alkylation of phenols. The process comprises the vapor phase reaction of a non-ortho-substituted phenol with an alcohol in the presence of a catalyst. The catalyst of the invention is an improvement over prior art catalysts used for ortho-alkylation of phenols as it substantially increases reaction selectivity, eliminates loss of catalyst arising with the use of powders or weakly sintered composites and has a substantially extended useful life.

Abstract: There are provided alkylation catalysts comprising magnesium oxide mixed with and bonded by manganese oxides. These are used in processes for the vapor phase ortho-alkylation of phenols with an alcohol. The present catalysts are advantageous in that they provide a substantially increased total useful life, a reduced induction period for maximum reaction selectivity, elimination of catalyst losses in comparison with the powders or weakly sintered composites of the prior art and increased selectivity for ortho-substitution. Treatment of the new catalysts with methanol vapor before use enhances their activity in converting phenols to 2,6-xylenol and results in a significant increase in production rate.

Abstract: There are provided alkylation catalysts comprising magnesium oxide mixed with and bonded by manganese oxides. These are used in processes for the vapor phase ortho-alkylation of phenols with an alcohol. The present catalysts are advantageous in that they provide a substantially increased total useful life, a reduced induction period for maximum reaction selectivity, elimination of catalyst losses in comparison with the powders or weakly sintered composites of the prior art and increased selectivity for ortho-substitution. Treatment of the new catalysts with methanol vapor before use enhances their activity in converting phenols to 2,6-xylenol and results in a significant increase in production rate.

Abstract: This invention is for a shaped, alkylation catalyst comprising magnesium oxide bonded with an inert, organic polymeric binder and to the use of the catalyst in a process for the ortho-alkylation of phenols. The process comprises the vapor phase reaction of a non-ortho-substituted phenol with an alcohol in the presence of the catalyst. The catalyst of the invention is an improvement over prior art catalysts used for ortho-alkylation of phenols as it substantially reduces the induction period for maximum reaction selectivity, eliminates loss of catalyst arising with use of powders and substantially extends catalyst life.