Cation exchange resins in the synthesis of tert-alkyl ethers of 2-phenylethanol

Abstract

Two useful perfumery compounds, tert-butyl ether and tert-amyl ether of 2-phenylethanol (PEA) were synthesized by the etherification of PEA with isobutylene gas and isoamylene, respectively, in the presence of macroreticular cation exchange resin as catalyst. A low reaction temperature and a clean method of synthesis and separation of the perfumery compounds have been shown by this work.