R. Bal et S. Sivasanker, Selective O-alkylation of cresols with methanol: catalysis by Cs loaded silica, a solid base, GREEN CHEM, 2(3), 2000, pp. 106-107
The O-alkylation of hydroxy aromatic compounds such as cresols is convenien
tly carried out over easy to prepare alkali loaded silica catalysts in the
vapour phase with high selectivities (ca. 99%). The activities of the catal
ysts increase with alkali loading and the basicity of the metal (Cs > K > N
a > Li). In the case of p-cresol over Cs/SiO2, the yield of the o-alkylated
product is as high as 94%.