Microwave activation of catalytic transformation of t-butylphenols

Kinetics of catalytic transformation of 2- and 4-t-butylphenol (2TBP and 4TBP) in the liquid phase on a heterogeneous KSF catalyst has been studied in detail under conventional and microwave conditions. The process includes dealkylation, isomerization and transalkylation reactions. Its kinetics has been described using the method of initial reaction rates. It was found that microwaves affect both the reaction rate and the selectivity. The results were explained in terms of “microwave-induced polarisation” assuming an interaction of microwaves with a highly polarised reagent molecule in adsorbed state on the acidic active site. Temperature and solvent effects were also examined. The reaction mechanism of t-butylphenol transformation is discussed on the basis of electrophilic aromatic substitution via bimolecular reactions.