About selective methods of synthesis of 6-tert-butyl-2-methylphenol and 6-tert-butyl-2,4-dimethylphenol

Vapor phase catalytic methylation with methanol of 2-tert-butylphenol at the temperature 280–300°C proceeds selectively with formation of 6-tert-butyl-2-methylphenol. Elevating reaction temperature above 300°C leads to formation of 2,6-dimethylphenol. Reaction of 2-tert-butylphenol with methanol in alkaline medium in the presence of zinc oxide is shown to lead initially to formation of a mixture of calixarenes and methylenebisphenols that at elevated temperature exert splitting leading in future to 6-tert-butyl-2,4-dimethylphenol. Obtaining it in this reaction from 2,2′-methylenebis-(6-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol) proceeds selectively. Pathways of the reductive methylation of methylenebisphenols with methanol in alkaline medium is considered.