Phenol alkylation with

A trispirobisdienone has been obtained by double intramolecular C-alkylation with phenol-dearomatization . 

Dimethyl sulphate is sometimes preferable to methyl-iodide for the alkylation of phenols and all other classes of compounds capable of alkylation. With phenols it is employed in alkaline aqueous solution as in the Schottcn-Baiimann method (cf p. 

In the earlier illustration, raw alkylate is fed to the first tower wherein the excess phenol is removed overhead for recycling to the reaction system. The by-products that are less volatile than phenol, but more volatile than the desired product (e.g., separation of the ortho-substituted isomer from the para), are removed as overhead from the second tower. The product is then removed as overhead from the third tower whereas less volatile by-products (e.g., di-substituted by-product and other by-products formed from the oligomerization of the alkene and subsequent alkylation with phenol) are removed as tower bottoms. A batch distillation of raw alkylate is similar in processing sequence with the various separations described earlier, which are taken as separate cuts. ... 

As already noted in Scheme 8.24, substitution of hydrogen by an alkyl group can also be effected. Generally, such Friedel-Crafts alkylations with phenols require catalysis by Lewis acids just as they did with unsubstituted and alkyl-substituted arenes (Chapter 6). Despite the fact that the nonbonded electrons on the hydroxyl... 

Me3CCH2CMe2C H40H. M.p. 8l-83"C, b.p. 286-288°C. Made by alkylation of phenol. Forms oil-soluble resins with methanal (salts used as oil additives) and surfactants (with ethylene oxide). 

Methyl and ethyl ethers of phenols are most conveniently prepared by alkylation with dimethyl sulphate and diethyl sulphate respectively in weakly alkaline solution, for example ... 

The hydroxyl groups can be alkylated with the usual alkylating agents. To obtain aryl ethers a reverse treatment is used, such as treatment of butynediol toluenesulfonate or dibromobutyne with a phenol (44). Alkylene oxides give ether alcohols (46). 

The most important appHcation of metal alkoxides in reactions of the Friedel-Crafts type is that of aluminum phenoxide as a catalyst in phenol alkylation (205). Phenol is sufficientiy acidic to react with aluminum with the formation of (CgH O)2Al. Aluminum phenoxide, when dissolved in phenol, greatiy increases the acidic strength. It is beheved that, similar to alkoxoacids (206) an aluminum phenoxoacid is formed, which is a strong conjugate acid of the type HAl(OCgH )4. This acid is then the catalyticaHy active species (see Alkoxides, metal). 

Sulfonated styrene—divinylbensene cross-linked polymers have been appHed in many of the previously mentioned reactions and also in the acylation of thiophene with acetic anhydride and acetyl chloride (209). Resins of this type (Dowex 50, Amherljte IR-112, and Permutit Q) are particularly effective catalysts in the alkylation of phenols with olefins (such as propylene, isobutylene, diisobutylene), alkyl haUdes, and alcohols (210) (see Ion exchange). Superacids. 

The most widely used process for the production of phenol is the cumene process developed and Hcensed in the United States by AHiedSignal (formerly AHied Chemical Corp.). Benzene is alkylated with propylene to produce cumene (isopropylbenzene), which is oxidized by air over a catalyst to produce cumene hydroperoxide (CHP). With acid catalysis, CHP undergoes controUed decomposition to produce phenol and acetone a-methylstyrene and acetophenone are the by-products (12) (see Cumene Phenol). Other commercial processes for making phenol include the Raschig process, using chlorobenzene as the starting material, and the toluene process, via a benzoic acid intermediate. In the United States, 35-40% of the phenol produced is used for phenoHc resins. 

Gas chromatography (gc) has been used extensively to analyze phenoHc resins for unreacted phenol monomer as weU as certain two- and three-ring constituents in both novolak and resole resins (61). It is also used in monitoring the production processes of the monomers, eg, when phenol is alkylated with isobutylene to produce butylphenol. Usually, the phenoHc hydroxyl must be derivatized before analysis to provide a more volatile compound. The gc analysis of complex systems, such as resoles, provides distinct resolution of over 20 one- and two-ring compounds having various degrees of methylolation. In some cases, hemiformals may be detected if they have been properly capped (53). 

Alkylphenols containing 3—12-carbon alkyl groups are produced from the corresponding alkenes under acid catalysis. Alkylphenols containing the methyl group were traditionally extracted from coal tar. Today they are produced by the alkylation of phenol with methanol. 

All lation of Phenols. The approach used to synthesize commercially available alkylphenols is Friedel-Crafts alkylation. The specific procedure typically uses an alkene as the alkylating agent and an acid catalyst, generally a sulfonic acid. Alkene and catalyst interact to form a carbocation and counter ion (5) which interacts with phenol to form a 7T complex (6). This complex is held together by the overlap of the filled TT-orbital of the aromatic... 

The alkylation of phenol with an alkene using either acid or aluminum catalysis probably accounts for 95% of the commercially produced alkylphenols with alkyl groups of three carbons or larger. The alkenes are commercially available and environmentally kind. They do not produce by-products as do alkylations which use alcohols or alkyl haUdes. Together with an acid catalyst and the appropriate amount of phenol, mono-, di-, and trialkylphenols can be produced. 

The cmde product formed from the alkylation of phenol with isoamylene contains principally 2-/ r2 -amylphenol, 4-/ r2 -amylphenol, and 2,4-di-/ r2 -amylphenol. 4-/ r2 Amylphenol is purified to its typical assay of 99+% by fractional distillation. 4-/ r2 -Amylphenol [80-46-6] is commercially available as a soHd, flaked material packaged ia paper or plastic bags (25 kg net weight) or as a molten material ia tank wagon or railcar quantities. 

Gumylphenol. -Cumylphenol (PGP) or 4-(1-methyl-l-phenylethyl)phenol is produced by the alkylation of phenol with a-methylstyrene under acid catalysis. a-Methylstyrene is a by-product from the production of phenol via the cumene oxidation process. The principal by-products from the production of 4-cumylphenol result from the dimerization and intramolecular alkylation of a-methylstyrene to yield substituted indanes. 4-Cumylphenol [599-64-4] is purified by either fractional distillation or crystallization from a suitable solvent. Purification by crystallization results in the easy separation of the substituted indanes from the product and yields a soHd material which is packaged in plastic or paper bags (20 kg net weight). Purification of 4-cumylphenol by fractional distillation yields a product which is almost totally free of any dicumylphenol. The molten product resulting from purification by distillation can be flaked to yield a soHd form however, the soHd form of 4-cumylphenol sinters severely over time. PGP is best stored and transported as a molten material. 

Methylphenol. This phenol, commonly known as o-cresol, is produced synthetically by the gas phase alkylation of phenol with methanol using modified alumina catalysis or it may be recovered from naturally occurring petroleum streams and coal tars. Most is produced synthetically. Reaction of phenol with methanol using modified zeoHte catalysts is a concerted dehydration of the methanol and alkylation of the aromatic ring. 2-Methylphenol [95-48-7] is available in 55-gal dmms (208-L) and in bulk quantities in tank wagons and railcars. 

Methylphenol is converted to 6-/ f2 -butyl-2-methylphenol [2219-82-1] by alkylation with isobutylene under aluminum catalysis. A number of phenoHc anti-oxidants used to stabilize mbber and plastics against thermal oxidative degradation are based on this compound. The condensation of 6-/ f2 -butyl-2-methylphenol with formaldehyde yields 4,4 -methylenebis(2-methyl-6-/ f2 butylphenol) [96-65-17, reaction with sulfur dichloride yields 4,4 -thiobis(2-methyl-6-/ f2 butylphenol) [96-66-2] and reaction with methyl acrylate under base catalysis yields the corresponding hydrocinnamate. Transesterification of the hydrocinnamate with triethylene glycol yields triethylene glycol-bis[3-(3-/ f2 -butyl-5-methyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate] [36443-68-2] (39). 2-Methylphenol is also a component of cresyHc acids, blends of phenol, cresols, and xylenols. CresyHc acids are used as solvents in a number of coating appHcations (see Table 3). 

Diall lated Phenols. 2,4-Di-tert-amjlphenol (2,4-DTAP) or 2,4-bis(l,l-dimethylpropyl)phenol is produced by the alkylation of phenol with isoamylene under acid catalysis in a mole ratio of 2 1 (isoamylene to phenol). The cmde alkylation product contains 4-/ f2 -amylphenol,... 

Di-tert-butyipbenoi (2,6-DTBP) OI 2,6-bis(l,l-dimethylethyl)phenol is pioduced fiom phenol by alkylation with isobutylene under aluminum... 

Di-sec-butylphenol (DSBPJ is produced by the alkylation of phenol with 1-butene or 2-butene under acidic or aluminum catalysis. The production of di-j -butylphenol under acid catalysis gives a 2 to 1 mixture of 2,4-di-j -butylphenol and 2,6-di-j -butylphenol [2,4-bis(l-methylpropyl)phenol and... 

Thioglycohc acid is recommended as a cocatalyst with strong mineral acid in the manufacture of bisphenol A by the condensation of phenol and acetone. The effect of the mercapto group (mercaptocarboxyhc acid) is attributed to the formation of a more stable carbanion intermediate of the ketone that can alkylate the phenol ring faster. The total amount of the by-products is considerably reduced (52). 

Toluenesulfonic Acid. Toluene reacts readily with fuming sulfuric acid to yield toluene—sulfonic acid. By proper control of conditions, /)i7n7-toluenesulfonic acid is obtained. The primary use is for conversion, by fusion with NaOH, to i ra-cresol. The resulting high purity i7n -cresol is then alkylated with isobutylene to produce 2 (i-dii-tert-huty -para-cmso (BHT), which is used as an antioxidant in foods, gasoline, and mbber. Mixed cresols can be obtained by alkylation of phenol and by isolation from certain petroleum and coal-tar process streams. 

Benzene is alkylated with propylene to yield cumene (qv). Cumene is catalytically oxidized in the presence of air to cumene hydroperoxide, which is decomposed into phenol and acetone (qv). Phenol is used to manufacture caprolactam (nylon) and phenoHc resins such as bisphenol A. Approximately 22% of benzene produced in 1988 was used to manufacture cumene. 

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