Mesoporous aromatic frameworks modified by metal chlorides in phenol alkylation with oct-1-ene

Abstract

Mesoporous polyaromatic frameworks (PAF) based on tetraphenylmethane were synthesized. The PAF/AlCl₃ and PAF/FeCl₃ catalysts were prepared by impregnating the synthesized products with aluminum and iron chlorides, respectively. The resulting materials were characterized by low-temperature adsorption—desorption of nitrogen, IR spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The catalytic activity of PAF/AlCl₃ and PAF/FeCl₃ was tested in the phenol alkylation with oct-1-ene. The tests showed that the use of these catalysts gave both alkylphenols (C-alkylates) and alkyl phenyl ethers (O-alkylates) in the total yields up to 78 and 65% for PAF/AlCl₃ and PAF/FeCl₃, respectively. The fraction of alkylphenols depends on both the catalyst amount and reaction temperature.