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Aluminium phenolate

Aluminium phenolate is the metalloorganic compound with the formula [Al(OC<sub>6</sub>H<sub>5</sub>)<sub>3</sub>]<sub>n</sub>. It is a white solid. <sup>27</sup>Al NMR studies suggest that aluminium phenolate exists in benzene solution as a mixture of dimer and trimer. The compound can be prepared by the reaction of elemental aluminium with phenol:

Al + 3 HOC<sub>6</sub>H<sub>5</sub> → Al(OC<sub>6</sub>H<sub>5</sub>)<sub>3</sub> + 1.5 H<sub>2</sub>

The compound is used as a catalyst for the alkylation of phenols with various alkenes. For example, the ethylphenols are generated commercially by treating phenol with ethylene in the presence of a catalytic amount of aluminium phenolate.

Related compounds

References