| abstract |
A method is provided for making polymethylated phenols, such as 2,3,5-trimethylphenol and 2,3,5,6-tetramethylphenol from a mixture of isophorone and methanol. Catalytic demethanation of isophorone and methanation of the resulting product is achieved by contacting the mixture of isophorone and methanol with the calcination residue of a mixture of magnesium carbonate and/or magnesium hydroxide and a manganese compound at elevated temperatures. |