Solvolysis of benzyl phenyl ether in high-temperature aqueous methanol solution under high-pressure carbon dioxide

Abstract

Alcoholysis of benzyl phenyl ether to various aromatic compounds was studied in high-temperature aqueous methanol solution under high-pressure carbon dioxide conditions. The products formed included benzyl methyl ether, benzyl alcohol, phenol and toluene. As high as 70.7 ± 0.2% yield of monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbon with 16.1 ± 0.3% yield of benzyl methyl ether was obtained by treating benzyl phenyl ether with an aqueous solution with 0.2 molar fraction of methanol, under 17.7 MPa carbon dioxide for 1 h at 573 K.