Efficient and Easily Recyclable Catalyst for the Alkylation Reaction of Phenol and tert-Butyl Alcohol

Abstract

tert -Butylphenol is widely used as an intermediate in organic synthesis, and the catalyst for the alkylation reaction of phenol and tert -butyl alcohol is the key to synthesizing tert -butylphenol. In our work, a catalyst, 1H-imidazole-1-acetic acid tosilate ([HIMA]OTs), was synthesized and characterized, and an efficient and easily recyclable catalytic system of an ionic liquid was established. In addition, the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters were calculated; the positive value of Δ H * indicated the endothermic nature of the alkylation reaction, and the positive value of Δ S * and negative value of Δ G * implied that the process of alkylation of phenol and tert -butyl alcohol was spontaneous in the current reaction system. The recovery experiments of [HIMA]OTs were performed, and an excellent recycling performance was obtained. This method provides a potential way for the industrial synthesis of tert -butylphenol.

An Efficient and Mild Method for the Alkylation of p-Cresol with tert-Butyl Alcohol

“…The efficient synthesis of 2-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol (2-TBM) is an important reaction, because of its great application in the preparation of many kinds of fine chemicals, additives in the food industry, UV absorbers, and polymerization inhibitors [1][2][3][4]. Isobutylene, chlorhydrocarbon, tert-butyl methyl ether, and tert-butyl alcohol were employed as alkylating agents for the preparation of 2-TBM, and many synthesis methods were developed; however, the alkylation of p-cresol and tert-butyl alcohol to synthesize 2-TBM has been proved to be the most effective way because of the convenient operation in the reaction process.…”