A method for obtaining 2,3,6-trimethylphenol by gas-phase catalytic methylation over iron oxide

Gas-phase alkylation of meta-cresol, 2,5-xylenol and 2,3-xylenol by methano l over a catalyst containing iron oxide as the main component was studied. The reactions were carried out in a continuous process at atmospheric press ure in the temperature range of 573-663 K. The yield of 2,3,6-trimethylphen ol increases in the series: meta-cresol < 2,3-xylenol < 2,5- xylenol. In th e case of 2, 5- xylenol, the yield of 2,3,6-trimethylphenol reached over 99 % in the temperature range of 635-650 K.