Alkylation by Polyprenols of ortho- and para-Cresols: Synthesis of Isomeric Polyprenylcresols

Alkylation by polyprenols of o- and p-cresols in the presence of equimolar amounts of the corresponding aluminum cresolates occurred regioselectively to form o-alkyl products regardless of the ratio of starting reagents. Production of 2,6-dipolyprenyl-4-methylphenol was favored if an excess of polyprenols was used with aluminum p-cresolate. A significant amount of polyprenol polymerization products was obtained under the studied reaction conditions.