The procedure of Example 2 was followed using 50.45 grams (0.202 mol) of 2,6-di-sec-butyl-α-methoxy-p-cresol in 30 mL methylene chloride and 39.0 grams (0.320 mol) 2,6-dimethylphenol with 42 grams 78% sulfuric acid. The reaction was carried out at about 8° C. with mechanical stirring. The 2,6-di-sec-butylephenol used to prepare the cresol according to the procedure of Example 3 was of only 85.7 percent purity. Accordingly, the yield of the cresol was only 67% (86.9 area % by gas chromatography). The product of the invention: [4-[[4-hydroxy-3,5-bis(1-methylpropyl)phenyl]methyl]-2,6-dimethylphenol, was obtained as a viscous oil (liquid) at room temperature in 90 percent yield (61.77 grams) (84.4 area percent by gas chromatography). The compound has a pour point of 22° C. (as measured by ASTM test D-97).
