KINETICS OF 4-TERT-BUTYLPHENOL HYDROGENATION OVER RHODIUM

The kinetics of the liquid phase hydrogenation of 4-tert-butylphenol t o form cis- and trans-4-tert-butylcyclohexanol at 1.0-10.0 MPa and 40 degrees C in isopropanol over a Rh catalyst has been studied. The kine tic behavior of this parallel system is described by a proposed reacti on network. Keto-enol tautomeric transformation of adsorbed 4-tert-but yltetrahydrophenol and 4-tert-butylcyclohexanone is thought to be a ke y step, which governs the stereoselectivity of the overall complex rea ction of alkylphenol hydrogenation.