Comparative study of phenol alkylation mechanisms using homogeneous and silica-supported boron trifluoride catalysts

Wilson, K., Adams, D. J. , Rothenberg, G. and Clark, J. H. (2000) Comparative study of phenol alkylation mechanisms using homogeneous and silica-supported boron trifluoride catalysts. Journal of Molecular Catalysis A: Chemical, 159(2), pp. 309-314. (doi: 10.1016/S1381-1169(00)00185-0)

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Abstract

The application of silica-supported BF3 as a mild solid acid catalyst to the C- and O-alkylation of various aryl alcohols is described. In the case of O-alkylation, the reactivity of the ether product in both heterogeneous and homogeneous systems is compared, and it is shown that the former can be used to affect selective C-alkylation of ethers, while in the latter system, ether rearrangement to ring poly-alkylated phenols also occurs. Ether rearrangement is thought to require coordination of the ether to an available Lewis acid site, which, in the case of the heterogeneous system, is apparently impossible. The difference between the homogeneous and the supported BF3 may be attributed to steric restrictions and/or relatively weak Lewis acidity of the supported system. Effects of steric hindrance at the reaction centre are examined. Possible routes to ethers and ring-alkylated products are also discussed.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Adams, Dave
Authors: Wilson, K., Adams, D. J., Rothenberg, G., and Clark, J. H.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Chemistry
Journal Name:Journal of Molecular Catalysis A: Chemical
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:1381-1169
ISSN (Online):1873-314X
Published Online:27 July 2000

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