Separation of m- and p-Ethylphenols, and of 2,4- and 2,5-Dimethylphenols by Inclusion Complexation with 1,1-Bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane as Host Compound

Abstract

Separation of isomers with the same or similar boiling points is very difficult, since fractional distillation cannot be used. For example, separation of m- (bp 214°C) and p-ethylphenol (bp 219°C) and of 2,4- (bp 212°C) and 2,5-dimethylphenol (bp 212°C) by fractional distillation is almost impossible. However, when an inclusion complexation process with 1,1-bis( p-hydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane is applied, these isomers were easily separated. m- and p-Ethylphenols were separated on a ton scale by the inclusion complexation technique.