Highly sulfonated multi and single-walled carbon nanotubes as reusable and regioselective catalysts for the tert-butylation of p-cresol under solvent-free conditions: acomparison study

چکیده مقاله

The synthesis of bulky organic molecules is an important area of search for industrial purpose. The lerl-butylated benzene derivatives, typically bulky molecules are commercially important chemical intermediates. They have been used for the synthesis of antioxidants, antiseptics, agrochemicals, resins, UV absorber and stabilizer for the polymers [1]. Terl-butylatedbenzene derivatives, especially 2-lert-butyl-p-cresol (2- TBC) are widely employed for the synthesis of antioxidants such as 2,2'-methylene-bis-(6-tert-butyl-p-cresol) (A.O.2246) [2,3]. The present study describes the synthesis, characterization, and catalytic activity of sui fonated multi-walled carbon nanotubes and sulfonated single-walled carbon nanotubes in the tertbutylation of p-cresol. The sulfonated multi-walled carbon nanotubes and sulfonated single-walled carbon nanotubes have been used as efficient heterogeneous catalytic systems in the tert-butylation of p-cresol. The present study offers some advantages of high selectivity and yields, easy work-up, solvent-free conditions, and reusable catalyst.