Alkylation of Hydroquinone with Isobutene

Raising the temperature resulted in a decreased yield, due to side reactions (double alkylation of hydroquinone and isobutene oligomerization). Since the catalyst was present in the etherate phase and the reactants and products in the toluene phase, the catalyst could be easily recovered and re-used. The recycled catalyst retained the initial activity and selectivity. 

In comparison to H2SO4 and H3PO4, PWj2 is about twice as efficient based on an equal molar amount of catalyst, and about 100 times more efficient based on an equal number of protons. 

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