Synthesis of 5-tert-butyl-1,2,3-trimethylbenzene catalyzed by [Et3NH]Cl–AlCl3

Abstract

Common Lewis acids and Lewis acidic ionic liquid catalysts were applied in the synthesis of 5-tert-butyl-1,2,3-trimethylbenzene from 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene and 2-chloro-2-methylpropane, where [Et₃NH]Cl–AlCl₃ demonstrated the most promising catalytic potential. The effects of reaction time, temperature, catalyst composition and dosage have been systematically studied in the presence of [Et3NH]Cl–AlCl3. The maximum selectivity of 90.32% was achieved upon heating at 10°C for 5 h with a mass fraction of [Et₃NH]Cl–AlCl₃ to 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene of 10%. Activity of the ionic liquid catalyst remained high after several cycles.