ORGANIC-SOLID GAS REACTIONS - ALKYLATION OF 4-TERT-BUTYLPHENOL BY ISOBUTENE GAS IN THE PRESENCE OF SOLID OR LIQUID CATALYSTS - STUDY OF THE REACTION PARAMETERS

Alkylation of phenols was studied in the solid phase in the presence of acid catalysts. The solid 4-tert-butylphenol was alkylated by gaseous isobutene under mild conditions in a batch reactor, tubular reactor and fixed-bed reactor. The solid 4-tert-butylphenol can be used in three ways : directly in its initial solid state; supported on silica or alumina; or deposited on a solid catalyst. The reaction arises from three reactive phases, each of which was characterized. The effect of followed parameters was studied: temperature; pressure; flow-rate; proportion and nature of the catalyst; contact area and size of reactants and catalysts; and reactor geometry. The modification of the conversion ratio with these parameters allowed us to define the optimum conditions for the gas/solid reactions. The nature and the number of contacts between solid phases are specified; the reaction and the interface are localized. The 0- and C-alkylation ratio was studied; 0-alkylation predominated at low temperature.