Heterogeneous catalysts based on B/P/O for the monoetherification of 1,2-dihydroxybenzene in the gas phase

Boron–phosphorus mixed oxides were tested as heterogeneous catalysts for the gas-phase etherification of catechol (1,2-dihydroxybenzene) with methanol, aimed at the production of guaiacol (1-methoxyphenol). This reaction represents an alternative to the etherification processes which makes use of homogeneous catalysts in the liquid phase. The activity of the catalysts was found to depend considerably on the B/P atomic ratio. A catalyst having B/P = 1.0, made of BPO₄, exhibited the best results in terms of (i) conversion of catechol, (ii) selectivity to guaiacol, and (iii) steadiness of performance with time-on-stream. Characterisation of the catalyst using TPD of NH₃ evidenced that this catalyst has the optimal surface acidity, which makes the undesired reactions of tar formation and ring-alkylation slower. Supporting the B/P/O catalysts on α-Al₂O₃ resulted in lower activity, but the catalytic performance was less dependent on the B/P ratio. Doping with potassium resulted in a lowering of the number of acid sites; however, small amounts of dopant led to an increase in activity, possibly due to a co-operation effect between basic and acid sites.