PURPOSE: To obtain the subject compound useful as a raw material, etc., for polymers in high yield by ethylating naphthalene and monoethylnaphthalenes, isomerizing and trans-ethylating the resultant product, controlling the amount of the 2,6-diethyl derivative and suppressing the formation of tar.
CONSTITUTION: Naphthalene and/or monoethylnaphthalenes and/or polyethylnaphthalenes are ethylated in the presence of aluminum chloride, etc., as a catalyst and the resultant product is then subjected to isomerizing and/or trans-ethylating reaction in the presence of hydrogen cation type and/or Y type zeolite in which hydrogen cations are partially exchanged with metallic cations as a catalyst at ≤200°C. In the process, the ratio of the 2,6-diethyl derivative to the total diethylnaphthalenes in the isomerizing and/or trans- ethylating reactional product is controlled to 10-28mol%. Thereby, the formation of heavy substances such as tar is suppressed to afford the objective 2,6- diethylnaphthalene in good yield.
MAEDA KEN
MURASHIGE TOSHIHIRO
ISHIBASHI MASAYASU
ONO HIROYASU
