An efficient and highly selective ortho-tert-butylation of p-cresol with methyl tert-butyl ether catalyzed by sulfonated ionic liquids

Abstract

A novel series of sulfonic acid-functionalized ionic liquids (SFILs) was found to act as efficient catalysts for ortho-tert-butylation of p-cresol with methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) as the tert-butylating agent without an added solvent. The mono o-tert-butylated product was obtained in up to 80.4% isolated yield and 95.2% selectivity under such green conditions. No O-tert-butylated byproducts were formed.

Keywords

• tert-butylation
• 2-tert-butyl-p-cresol
• p-cresol
• sulfonated ionic liquid