One-step vapour-phase synthesis of 2-methyl-1-naphthol from 1-tetralone

Two synthetic routes, via 2-methyl-1-tetralone and 1-naphthol were tested to produce 2-methyl-1-naphthol from 1-tetralone. The vapour-phase catalytic reactions of methylation and dehydrogenation proceed with high conversion and selectivity (90-97%) over modified iron oxide and palladium supported on activated carbon, respectively. The reactions were carried out under the similar conditions (T, P, etc.). Methanol was used as a diluent and methylating agent as well. The obtained results allowed to propose a reaction scheme for one-step synthesis of 2-methyl-1-naphthol. The scheme includes two fixed-bed reactors in line or a single reactor with a double-layered or mixed catalytic bed. The main advantage of the proposed scheme is avoiding the intermediate separation and purification steps. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.