Catalytic Hydrocracking of Cresols

Abstract

dehydroxylation; disproportionation and isomerization reactions were also detected in the advance stages of hydrocracking. CoO-MoO3 supported on Al2O3 (cat-A) favoured dehydroxylation over demethylation and NiO supported on MgO(cat-B) favoured demethylation over dehydroxylation. Disproportionation and isomerization reactions were more pronounced by cat-A than by cat-B. Products detected were phenol, toluene, 2,6-dimethylphenol, 2,4-dimethylphenol and m-, p-xylenes. Kinetics was correlated using a conventional Langmuir-Hinshelwood model. The model was first order with respect to cresol, and the reaction mechanism based on carbonium ion complex formation was suggested.