| abstract |
This invention relates to a process for the selective ortho-alkylation of a phenolic compound having at least one ortho-positioned a hydrogen atom by catalytically reacting the phenolic compound with an alcohol in the vapor phase. In this process, the reaction of the phenolic compound with the alcohol is carried out at a temperature of from 300 DEG to 550 DEG C. in the presence of a mixed oxide catalyst of manganese, silicon, and one or more additives selected from the group consisting of magnesium oxide, calcium oxide, strontium oxide, and barium oxide. The catalyst used in this invention exhibits not only excellent catalytic activity in the selective ortho-alkylation of phenols but also continuous stability of the activity, good shapability, and good mechanical strength. |