| abstract |
This invention is for a shaped, alkylation catalyst comprising magnesium oxide bonded with silica and to the use of the catalyst in a process for the ortho-alkylation of phenols. The process comprises the vapor phase reaction of a non-ortho-substituted phenol with an alcohol in the presence of a catalyst. The catalyst of the invention is an improvement over prior art catalysts used for ortho-alkylation of phenols as it substantially increases reaction selectivity, eliminates loss of catalyst arising with the use of powders or weakly sintered composites and has a substantially extended useful life. |