Shape-selective methylation of meta-cresol

Phenol, cresols and xylenols are of enormous industrial importance, mainly in the polymers (resins), electronics, pesticides, pharmarceutical, paint and dye industries. The selective production of cresols and xylenols is difficult, partly owing to the number of different isomers that occur and, since many of these isomers have similar boiling points, separation via distillation is not in all cases effective or economical. Other separation techniques are often complicated and costly. Consequently, the direct selective synthesis of individual isomers is to be technically highly prized. In this work the synthesis of specific xylenol isomers was investigated via acid catalysed methylation of m-cresol with methanol, and focusing on shape-selective or potentially shape-selective zeiolites and the effects of varying reaction parameters. Attention was drawn to specifically producing the "slim" isomers, 2,5-xylenol and 3,4-xylenol. Regualr commercial catalysts based on zeolites FER, MFI, MOR, MTW and BEA were applied. Results are compared to product distributions obtained over non shape-selective, amorphous silica-alumina.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Chemical Engineering

Year dc:date.issued

2006

Author dc:creator

• Fernsby, Alistair Mark

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Fletcher, Jack

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/11833

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/11833