576-26-1

Preparation

From coal tar oil or coal hydrogenation.Synthesis of 2,6-dimethylphenol: The gas-phase catalytic reaction of phenol and methanol is carried out, and then purified by rectification, and the product purity can reach more than 99%.Selective phenol methylation to 2,6-dimethylphenol in a fluidized bed of iron-chromium mixed oxide catalyst with o–cresol circulationCatalytic synthesis of 2,6-dimethylphenol from methanol and cyclohexanone over titanium oxide-supported vanadium oxide catalysts

Reactivity Profile

2,6-Dimethylphenol is incompatible with bases, acid chlorides, acid anhydrides, and oxidizing agents. Corrodes steel, brass, copper, and copper alloys.

Fire Hazard

2,6-Dimethylphenol is combustible.

Flammability and Explosibility

Nonflammable

Purification Methods

Fractionally distil 2,6-xylenol under nitrogen, crystallise it from *benzene or hexane, and sublime it at 38o/10mm. [Beilstein 6 IV 3122.]

General Description

2,6-Dimethylphenol (2,6-xylenol) is a phenol derivative that serves as a key substrate in synthetic chemistry, particularly in studies involving thiomethylation and transition-metal-mediated C–H bond functionalization. It demonstrates reactivity in ortho-substitution reactions, as evidenced by its participation in thiomethylation processes using alkyl diethylaminomethyl sulfides, yielding mono- and disubstituted products selectively. Additionally, its sp3 C–H bonds can be cleaved stoichiometrically by ruthenium complexes, enabling transformations into allylic phenols and benzopyrans, highlighting its utility in metal-catalyzed organic synthesis.

Application

2,6-dimethylphenol is generally applied in industry as a monomer in polymerization reaction. For the production of polyphenylene ether resins, polyester and polyether resins.

Aroma threshold values

Detection: 400 ppb