The determining factor of the reaction of 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol with alkaline metal hydroxides is temperature, depending on which two types of potassium or sodium 2,6-di-tert-butyl phenoxides are formed with different catalytic activity in the alkylation of 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol with methyl acrylate. More active forms of 2,6-(Bu2C6H3OK)-C-t or 2,6-(Bu2C6H3ONa)-C-t are synthesized at temperatures higher than 433 K and represent predominantly monomers of 2,6-di-tert-butyl phenoxides producing dimers on cooling.