Alkylation of phenol with methanol was carried out over Lewis acid ion exchangedY-zeolites, FeY, ZnY, CdY and LaY at temperatures of 523, 573, 623, 673 and 698 K. The products obtained wereo-cresol, 2,6-xylenol and anisole. The effects of phenol to methanol mole ratio and Weight Hourly Space Velocity (WHSV) were examined for high phenol conversion and product selectivity. Phenol conversion decreased with increase of temperature over all the catalysts due to coke deposition. Selectivity too-cresol decreased with increase of temperature as it, once formed, became the reactant for formation of 2,6-xylenol. Selectivity to 2,6-xylenol increased with increase of temperature indicating high activation energy for its formation. Selectivity to anisole, although formed less than 10% over all the catalysts, decreased with increase of temperature due to its conversion too-cresol and then to 2,6-xylenol. In addition, selectivity to anisole also decreased with decrease of phenol to methanol feed ratio and WHSV. The study of time on stream showed preferential blocking of strong acid sites by coke deposits and hence these site dependent formations ofo-cresol and 2,6-xylenol were greatly reduced but free weak acid site dependent anisole formation increased with time.

Hydration of ethylene in the vapour phase over NAPO-5 and ZAPO-5 molecular sieves has been carried out between 300 and 450°C. The products formed are isobutanol, ethanol andn-butanol. The effects of temperature, time on stream and partial pressure of water vapour on ethylene conversion and products selectivity have been studied. Increase of the partial pressure of water vapour increased the selectivity of ethanol andn-butanol, but decreased the selectivity of isobutanol. Formation of ethanol andn-butanol is observed to be dependent on Bronsted acidity whereas formation of isobutanol is proved to be dependent on both Bronsted and Lewis acidities.