2,6-Dimethylphenol

Chemical properties

colourless crystals or white powder. soluble in alcohol, ether, chloroform, benzene and alkali solution, slightly soluble in water.

Occurrence

Reported found in smoked fatty fish, boiled and cooked cured pork, rum, malt whiskey, Japanese whiskey, coffee, katsuobushi (dried bonito) and lamb’s lettuce (Valerianella locusta).

The Uses of 2,6-Dimethylphenol

Similar to other xylenol compounds, 2,6-dimethylphenol is used in the synthesis of anti-oxidant compounds due to the phenol moiety in the structure. In addition, this compound is used as a a reactant in the synthesis of polyphenylene ether polymers.

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 circulation
Catalytic synthesis of 2,6-dimethylphenol from methanol and cyclohexanone over titanium oxide-supported vanadium oxide catalysts

What are the applications of 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.

Definition

ChEBI: 2,6-Dimethylphenol is a hydroxytoluene.

Aroma threshold values

Detection: 400 ppb

General Description

2,6-dimethylphenol is a colorless to off-white crystalline solid with a sweet tarry odor. Odor threshold concentration: 0.4 mg/L . (NTP, 1992)

Air & Water Reactions

Insoluble in water

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

Non flammable

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.]