Regioselective ortho-C-cyclohexylation of phenols with cyclohexanol in the presence of transition metal modified zeolite-Hβ

The cyclohexylation of various phenols with cyclohexanol as an alkylating agent in the presence of Ti4+, Sb3+, Fe3+, Sn4+, Al3+, and Zr4+ metal modified zeolite-Hβ catalysts was carried out. The best catalyst was Sn4+ exchanged Hβ, activated at 120 °C (Hβ-SnA120), which displayed a selectivity of more than 95% towards 2-cyclohexylphenol. The reaction was found to proceed through the formation of cyclohexyl phenyl ether. Cyclohexylation of different phenols has also been studied.