Phenol → Isobutylene

A phenol alkylation mixture was prepared from 177.5 parts of phenol, 1.06 parts triethyl aluminum (which reacted with the phenol to form aluminum phenoxide) and 232.81 parts of isobutylene. The alkylation was carried out at 115° C. and 190-220 psig except during the addition of the last 15.85 parts of isobutylene which was conducted at 70° C. The mixture was then stirred at 70° C. for 3 hours to complete the reaction. The reactor was vented to atmospheric pressure and, while still at 70° C., 3.67 parts of water were added. The wet mixture was stirred at 70° C. for 45 minutes and then heated to 150° C. while at atmospheric pressure and stirred at 150° C. for 45 minutes while allowing water to distill out. It was then cooled to 90° C. and filtered. The precipitate was granular and filtered rapidly using a 1 micron bag filter. The main product, 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol, was recovered by distillation.