ALKYLATION OF PHENOL IN THE PRESENCE OF HOMOGENEOUS AND HETEROGENEOUS CATALYSTS

Phenol alkylation processes with both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts were studied. KU-2 was employed as a heterogeneous catalyst and sodium bisulfate (NaHSO_4) as a homogeneous catalyst during the reaction. In the presence of a NaHSO_4catalyst, alkylation reactions involving phenol and 1-methylcyclohexene were conducted. Kinetic parameters (temperature, duration, molar ratio of beginning components, amount of catalyst) were examined in relation to the process's selectivity and major product yield. At a temperature between 80 and 160°C, a reaction duration of 2 to 8 hours, a molar ratio of phenol to 1-methylcyclohexene between 1:2 and 3:1, and a catalyst amount between 5 and 15%, the alkylation reaction between phenol and 1-methylcyclohexene was investigated. The best conditions for the alkylation process were determined by the studies: temperature 140°C, reaction duration of 6 hours phenol:1-methylcyclohexene 1:1 mol/mol, and catalyst amount of 15% according to phenol taken. The process selectivity was 86.3% (based on the target product) and the target product's yield was 71.6% (based on the phenol taken) under the determined ideal conditions. Concurrently, alkylation processes between phenol and 1-methylcyclohexene were conducted with a KU-2 catalyst present. Kinetic parameters (temperature, duration, molar ratio of beginning components, amount of catalyst) were examined in relation to the process's selectivity and major product yield. At a temperature of 80–135°C, a reaction duration of 2–8 hours, a molar ratio of phenol to 1-methylcyclohexene with 1:2 and 3:1, and a catalyst amount between 5 and 20%, the alkylation reaction between phenol and 1-methylcyclohexene was investigated. According to the results of the investigations, the ideal parameters for the alkylation process were as follows: phenol: 1-methylcyclohexene 1:1 mol/mol, temperature 120°C, reaction duration 6 hours, and 10% catalyst, depending on the phenol used. The process's selectivity was 88.7% (based on the target product) and the target product's yield was 68.3% (based on the phenol extracted) under the ideal circumstances identified. Keywords: phenol, homogeneous catalysts, heterogeneous catalysts, alkylation, alkylphenols, green chemistry in catalysis.