Process for preparing thymol

US4086283A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• BAYER HEALTHCARE LLC · DE

Inventors

• Wolfgang Biedermann
• Horst Koller
• Karlfried Wedemeyer · Cologne, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 2, 1976
• Grant date: Apr 25, 1978
• Expiry date: Jun 2, 1996

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C37/14
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Thymol can be prepared on a continuous basis by reacting m-cresol with propylene and/or compounds which eliminate propylene, over aluminum oxide catalysts in the presence of a nitrogen base. The aluminum oxide catalyst is an active or activated hydrated aluminum oxide having a particle size between 0.5 and 20 mm, a BET surface area of at least 200 m.sup.2 /g, a porosity equal to or greater than 0.5 mm/g, a boehmite content of 5 to 40 percent by weight, and an X-ray spectrum which shows the reflections of .gamma.-alumina wherein the content of microcrystalline constituents is less than 50 percent by weight.