The crucial factor of the reaction of 2,6 di tert butylphenol with alkali hydroxides is temperature, depending on which two types of potassium or sodium 2,6 di tert butylphenoxides are formed. These types exhibit different catalytic activity in the alkylation of 2,6 di tert butylphenol with methyl acrylate. More active forms of 2,6 Bu t 2 C 6 H 3 OK or 2,6 Bu t 2 C 6 H 3 ONa are synthesized at temperatures higher than 160 °C and are predominantly the monomers, which dimerize on cooling. The data of 1 H NMR, electronic, and IR spectra for the corre sponding forms of 2,6 Bu t 2 C 6 H 3 OK and 2,6 Bu t 2 C 6 H 3 ONa isolated in the individual state are in agreement with cyclohexadienone structure. In DMSO or DMF, the dimeric forms of 2,6 di tert butylphenoxides react with methyl acrylate to form methyl 3 (4 hydroxy 3,5 di tert butylphenyl)propionate in 64-92% yield.