Sn–Ce–Rh–O monophase system as a new type of ortho-selective catalyst for phenol alkylation Original Research Article

The gas phase catalytic alkylation of phenol with methanol over new Sn–Ce–Rh–O catalyst has been studied. Cerium dioxide, tin dioxide, Sn–Ce–O and Sn–Rh–O systems have been also applied as catalysts. The reaction was carried out in a continuous process at the atmospheric pressure in dependence on temperature—starting at 523 K up to the deflection of phenol conversion. According to the elaborated method ortho-methyl phenol derivatives can be efficiently obtained. The best results were received in the presence of Sn–Ce–Rh–O: a summarized selectivity to ortho-cresol and 2,6-xylenol at 643 K reached 93.5% at the 71% conversion of phenol. Over all the studied catalysts O-alkylation was an insignificant process.