A novel method to prepare KNO3/NaY solid base catalysts and their application in the O-ethylation of phenol with diethyl carbonate

An efficient and novel method to prepare KNO3/NaY solid base catalysts was developed. High selectivity for phenetole along with high conversion of phenol was obtained in the vapor phase O-alkylation of phenol with diethyl carbonate over KNO3 modified NaY zeolite. Experimental results showed that a large number of basic sites on KNO3/NaY were generated mainly during catalytic evaluation, which was responsible for the outstanding catalytic performance. Furthermore, the excess KNO3 loadings might lead to the blockage of the pores in the NaY zeolite and decrease the catalytic activity.