METHOD FOR PRODUCING M-T-BUTYLPHENOL IN HIGH CONCENTRATION

PURPOSE:To produce the titled compound in high concentration, by using isobutylene oligomer and phenol as raw materials, controlling the water-content of the raw material mixture within a specific range, and reacting the compounds at a specific humidity in the presence of a catalyst such as synthetic silica alumina, etc. CONSTITUTION:Isobutylene oligomer, preferably dimer, and phenol are used as the raw materials of the process. The water-content of the raw material mixture is adjusted within the range of formula [W is water-content of the raw material (wt%); t is reaction temperature ( deg.C)], and the compounds are made to react with each other at 230- 300 deg.C in the presence of synthetic silica alumina and/or active clay to obtain the objective compound in high concentration. The raw material mixture is fed to the system at a rate (V/F) of 0.2-6 wherein V is volume of the catalyst and F is volume of the raw material fed to the system per hour. EFFECT:The system can be operated under low pressure by the use of the isobutylene oligomer compared with the case using a 4C olefin, and the initial and running costs of the apparatus can be saved. USE:Raw material of oil-soluble phenolic resin, etc.