Rearrangement of alkyl phenyl ethers over dealuminated HY zeolites under liquid-phase conditions Original Research Article

The rearrangement reaction of alkyl phenyl analogue ethers of anisole, such as ethoxybenzene, n-propoxybenzene and n-butoxybenzene, over a dealuminated HY zeolite (Si/Al=10) has been investigated. Phenol, alkoxyalkylbenzenes and alkylphenols are obtained as main products. From the systematic study of the rearrangement reaction of ethoxybenzene, chosen as a model substrate, a general scheme has been advanced for the dealkylation reaction. Such a scheme, which involves both intramolecular and intermolecular rearrangements, has been confirmed by the use of kinetic modelling software. The influence of the temperature on the rate constants of each step of the reactional process and on the product distribution has been studied, together with the isomer distribution in ethoxyethylbenzene and ethylphenol formation.