2,6-Dimethylphenol

colourless crystals or white powder. soluble in alcohol, ether, chloroform, benzene and alkali solution, slightly soluble in water.

Reported found in smoked fatty fish, boiled and cooked cured pork, rum, malt whiskey, Japanese whiskey, coffee, katsuobushi (dried bonito) and lamb’s lettuce (Valerianella locusta).

Similar to other xylenol compounds, 2,6-dimethylphenol is used in the synthesis of anti-oxidant compounds due to the phenol moiety in the structure. In addition, this compound is used as a a reactant in the synthesis of polyphenylene ether polymers.

ChEBI: 2,6-Dimethylphenol is a hydroxytoluene.

2,6-dimethylphenol is generally applied in industry as a monomer in polymerization reaction. For the production of polyphenylene ether resins, polyester and polyether resins.

From coal tar oil or coal hydrogenation.
Synthesis of 2,6-dimethylphenol: The gas-phase catalytic reaction of phenol and methanol is carried out, and then purified by rectification, and the product purity can reach more than 99%.
Selective phenol methylation to 2,6-dimethylphenol in a fluidized bed of iron-chromium mixed oxide catalyst with o–cresol circulation
Catalytic synthesis of 2,6-dimethylphenol from methanol and cyclohexanone over titanium oxide-supported vanadium oxide catalysts

Detection: 400 ppb

2,6-dimethylphenol is a colorless to off-white crystalline solid with a sweet tarry odor. Odor threshold concentration: 0.4 mg/L . (NTP, 1992)

Insoluble in water

2,6-Dimethylphenol is incompatible with bases, acid chlorides, acid anhydrides, and oxidizing agents. Corrodes steel, brass, copper, and copper alloys.

2,6-Dimethylphenol is combustible.

Non flammable

Fractionally distil 2,6-xylenol under nitrogen, crystallise it from *benzene or hexane, and sublime it at 38o/10mm. [Beilstein 6 IV 3122.]