Patent ID: 7915430

Claim:
A method for producing a phenolphthalein compound comprising: reacting a phenolic compound of the formula: wherein R 1 is a hydrogen or a C 1 -C 12 hydrocarbyl group, with a phthalic anhydride compound of the formula: wherein R 2 is a hydrogen, a C 1 -C 12 hydrocarbyl group, or a halogen, in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst and a promoter to form a reaction mixture comprising a phenolphthalein compound of the formula: wherein each R 1 is independently a hydrogen or a C 1 -C 12 hydrocarbyl group, and R 2 is a hydrogen, a C 1 -C 12 hydrocarbyl group, or a halogen; wherein the heterogeneous catalyst comprises a metal oxide composition in combination with a porous support, wherein the metal is molybdenum, tungsten, or a combination comprising at least one of molybdenum and tungsten, and wherein the promoter is chlorosulphonic acid, a C 1 -C 12 alkyl sulphonic acid, a C 6 -C 12 aryl sulphonic acid, a C 1 -C 12 alkyl C 6 -C 12 aryl sulphonic acid, a halogenated C 1 -C 12 alkyl sulphonic acid, a halogenated C 6 -C 12 aryl sulphonic acid, a halogenated C 1 -C 12 alkyl C 6 -C 12 aryl sulphonic acid, trichloroacetic acid, triflic acid, boron trifluoride, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing promoters.