Reactions of phenolic compounds over HZSM-5

Data are reported for the catalytic conversion of various phenolic compounds injected in a flow of helium, either in the presence of water or methanol, onto a microcatalytic fixed bed of HZSM-5. These compounds encompassed phenol, o-, m- and p-cresols, dimethylphenol, eugenol, iso-eugenol, gualacol, anisole, diphenylether and 2,6-dimethoxyphenol. Mechanisms are proposed in which Brönsted acid sites and carbonium ions interact with ether intermediates, namely diphenylether and anisole.