The synthesis of anisole by vapor phase methylation of phenol with methanol over activated alumina（AA） supported catalysts was investigated in a fixed bed reactor. KH2PO4/AA gave the best performance among the eight tested catalysts. The catalyst was prepared by loading KH2PO4 on AA and then calcining at the optimized temperature of 700 °C for 8 h. In the vapor phase reaction, the level of anisole yield（LAY） has a maximum at 400–450 °C when the temperature varied from 300 to 500°C, which decreased slightly with increasing WHSV and increased distinctly with increasing mole fraction of methanol. On comparing O‐methylation and C‐methylation of phenol, a low temperature,high WHSV（short residence time）, and a low methanol concentration over the KH2PO4/AA catalyst with higher K contents were found to increase anisole selectivity by O‐methylation of phenol. The reaction routes to the major products and the catalytic mechanism were suggested, and a ‘K‐acid＇bifunctional process may be a critical factor to the formation of anisole.
