Catalytic methylation of phenol with mixed solvents over Ni/CeO2-La2O3

Ni/CeO 2 -La 2 O 3 with strong acidity was prepared by in - situ carbon templating (ISCT) and subsequent reduction with H 2 . The phase composition, specific surface area, morphology, acidity, and elemental valence composition of the catalyst were characterized. The catalytic methylation (CM I ) of phenol over the catalyst in different ratios of methanol to n -hexane was investigated under N 2 atmosphere. Over the catalyst, phenol was completely converted into 2,6-xylenol at 260 °C for 3 h via the CM I of phenol to o -cresol and subsequent CM I of o -cresol.