At present, there are many industrial production processes for tert-butylphenol, including alkylation reaction of phenol and isobutylene (solvent extraction method), exchange reaction of acetophenone and ammonium nitrate, and mixed reaction of acetophenone and phosphoric acid. Among them, the reaction of phenol and isobutylene as raw materials, under the action of solid acid catalyst, tert-butylphenol is prepared by alkylation reaction, the main product is p-tert-butylphenol, and o-tert-butylphenol and 2.3-di-tert-butylphenol are produced as by-products.
Tert-butylphenol has the following isomers: o-tert-butylphenol, p-tert-butylphenol, 2.4-di-tert-butylphenol, 2.6-di-tert-butylphenol, etc.
According to the survey, the four isomers of tert-butylphenol have certain similarities in application in some fields, such as the field of antioxidants, and there are certain differences in other fields.
o-tert-butylphenol: spices, pesticides, phenolic resins, antioxidants (food field), plant protection agents, synthetic resins, medicines, pesticide intermediates and raw materials for flavors and fragrances.
p-tert-Butylphenol: used to produce oil-soluble tackifying resins and antioxidants, can be used as a raw material for flavors, and is also a raw material for widely used non-ionic surfactants. It is also used for the modification of epoxy resins, the modification of xylene resins, and as a raw material for polyvinyl chloride stabilizers; it can be used as a stabilizer for rubber soap chlorinated hydrocarbons and digestive fibers, UV absorbers, pesticides, rubber coatings, and other anti-cracking agents, and can also be used to make pharmaceutical insect repellents, pesticides, acaricides, miticides, and raw materials for spices and plant protection agents.
2,4-Di-tert-Butylphenol: Main raw material for nitrite antioxidants, antioxidant 168, light stabilizers, rubber or plastic additives, etc.
2,6-Di-tert-Butylphenol: Main matrix of hindered phenol antioxidants; production of antioxidants 1010/1076. Antioxidants in the plastic field have the characteristics of wide application. Antioxidants in the food field have good heat resistance, no specific odor, low price, but high toxicity. Used in oils, fried foods, dried fish products, biscuit products, etc.
According to the comparison, tert-butylphenol is mainly used in the field of antioxidants. Antioxidants are the main application direction of tert-butylphenol and are used in hindered phenol phosphate antioxidants. Phosphite antioxidants are auxiliary antioxidants, and their main function is to decompose hydroperoxides. Specific brands include antioxidant 168 (tris(2,4-di-tert-butyl)phenyl phosphite). At the same time, phosphite antioxidants have good color protection ability and can increase the processing temperature of polymers. They have synergistic effects with hindered phenol antioxidants, light stabilizers, etc. They are mostly used in internal combustion engine oils, mainly for anti-wear, friction reduction, anti-oxidation and extreme pressure effects. Hindered phenol antioxidants are mostly used in polymer fields such as rubber and plastic products, polyurethane products, etc. due to their many advantages such as good antioxidant effect, high thermal stability and low toxicity. They have different effects from auxiliary antioxidants such as phosphites and thioethers.