HETEROGENEOUS CATALYTIC METHYLATION OF CATECHOL

It has been shown that, after a partial deactivation, gamma-alumina (g amma-Al2O3) is a good catalyst for selective methylation of 1,2-benzen ediol in the temperature range of 260 - 310-degrees-C. The main produc ts are the desired 3-methyl-1,2-benzenediol and 2-methoxyphenol, which may be converted in another step into 3-methyl-1,2-benzenediol, givin g an overall selectivity for the desired products of 80 to 90%. The ca techol forms a strongly chemisorbed surface species on gamma-alumina a nd its steric adsorption model correlates with the kinetic data.