Synthesis Of 2-methylcyclohexyl Acetate

2-methylcyclohexyl acetate is an efficient solvent that can be used in theanthraquinone process for the production of H2O2. In this work, the preparation of2-methylcyclohexyl acetate, first by the hydrogenation reaction of o-cresol, followedby esterification of the obtained 2-methylcyclohexanol with acetic acid, has beenstudied.Raney Ni was found to be the suitable catalyst for the hydrogenation of o-cresol.The optimal conditions were found as follows: 140°C, 5bar and 6h. Under theseconditions, 100% selectivity to the product, 2-methylcyclohexanol and up to 97%conversion of o-cresol were obtained.In the esterification of 2-methylcyclohexanol and acetic acid, with NaHSO4 ascatalyst, the optimal conditions were found as follows: 2-methylcyclohexanol:aceticacid:cyclohexane:NaHSO4 = 0.1mol:0.3mol:3g:0.8g. Under these conditions, 93.73%yield of 2-methylcyclohexyl acetate could be obtained. It was found that concentratedH2SO4 could also be used as the catalyst for the reaction and similar results could beobtained. When 2-methylcyclohexanol: acetic acid: cyclohexane: NaHSO4 =0.1mol:0.2mol:3g:0.8g, 93% yield of 2-methylcyclohexyl acetate could also beobtained.