A method for obtaining thymol by gas phase catalystic alkylation f m-cresol over zinc aluminate spinel

摘要

The gas-phase catalytic alkylation of m-cresol with isopropanol on ZnAl_2O_4 catalysts of different properties has been studied. The reactions were carried out in a continuous process at atmospheric presure in the temeprature range of 473-583 K. Both, O- and C-alkylated products were obtaiend at lower temepratures while at higher temperatures thymol was the main product of the reaction. According to the elaborated method thyol can be efficiently obtained with selectivity reaching up to 88.4% at an m-cresol conversion of 78.2%.