| abstract |
The present invention is directed to methylation catalysts comprising gallium oxide, which preferably further contain magnesium oxide. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the methylation catalyst consists of gallium oxide and magnesium oxide. The present invention is further directed to the use of such catalysts for the methylation of phenol and its methylated derivatives having one or two methyl groups such as o-cresol, m-cresol, p-cresol, 2,3-xylenol, 2,4-xylenol, 2,5-xylenol, 2,6-xylenol and 3,5-xylenol. |