| abstract |
PURPOSE: To obtain titled compound useful as a raw material for polyphenylene ether, etc., advantageously, by pretrating a catalyst contaning a metallic oxide with a gas formed in the vapor phase catalytic reaction of a phenol with an clcohol. n CONSTITUTION: A phenol having one or more hydrogen atoms in the o-position expressed by the formula (R 1 WR 4 are 1W4C saturated hydrocarbon residues, or aromatic hydrocarbon residues possibly having a substituent group, e.g. phenyl or naphthyl) is brought into contact in the vapor phase with a 1W4C alcohol, in the presence of a catalyst containing a metallic oxide, e.g. a catalyst containing aluminum oxide etc., to give an o-alkylated phenol selectively and advantageously. The catalyst is calcined in advance in the atmosphere of a gas formed by the reaction, at 100W800°C, preferably at 130W650°C, to increase the reproducibility of the reaciton activity and reduce the induction period at the start of the reaction. n COPYRIGHT: (C)1981,JPO&Japio |