Hydrogenation of 2-tert-butylphenol over Ni catalyst

Abstract

The hydrogenation of 2-tert-butylphenol was studied in regard to possibilities of influencing selectivity, namely the ratio ofcis- andtrans-isomers of 2-tert-butylcyclohexanol in the final reaction mixture. The hydrogenation reactions were carried out using the catalyst Ni/Al₂O₃. During the hydrogenations, a higher content of thecis-isomer was attained, when simultaneously the final reaction mixture contained 2-tert-butylcyclohexanone. The content of this intermediate, which primarily hydrogenated to thecis-isomer, increased with a decreased pressure and after the addition of acetic acid into the reaction mixture.