Ortho-selective phenol methylation over iron-magnesium oxide catalysts

Alkylation of phenol to ORTHO-cresol and 2,6-xylenol with methanol in the presence of iron and iron-magnesium oxide catalysts was investigated. The catalysts displayed high activity and stability. Addition of magnesium oxide to the iron catalyst increases its selectivity towards C-alkylation in ortho-position. It was found that the active phase in the investigated catalysts is highly dispersed magnetite or mixed spinel of Fe(MgFe)O-4 type. It is noticed that if Fe+2 ions are replaced by Mg+2 ions in the spinel the basicity of the bifunctional catalyst is augmented, increasing ortho-selectivity of alkylation.