Liquid phase alkylation of anisole and phenol catalyzed by niobium phosphate

The catalytic activity of niobium phosphate was evaluated in the liquid phase alkylation reaction of anisole with 1-dodecene, 1- octene, 2-octanol and 1-octen-3-ol and in the reaction of phenol with 1-octen-3-ol. Best results were achieved in the alkylation of anisole and phenol with 1-octen-3-ol that produced mainly monoalkylate products. In the reaction with phenol the major products formed were octenylphenols (C-alkylation) and phenyl-octenyl ether (O-alkylates). The reaction favors the formation of C-alkylates over O-alkylates.