Abstract: 4-Methylcyclohexanone was prepared by the catalytic hydrogenation of p-cresol at normal pressure over Rh on 3.17 mm alumina pellets as the catalyst.The conditions for the catalytic hydrogenation were also studied.The preheated temperature of p-cresol was chosen as 160°C.The rate of flow of hydrogen was selected to be 144 L/h.The mixture ratio of the reacting gas was hydrogen i p-cresol=15 : 1 (molar ratio).When the catalytic temperature was 60,80,100,120,140,160,180, 200, 220℃, the conversion rate of p-cresol was found in 0.1, 33.3, 33.S, 18, 3,12.7,1.0, 0.2, 0.2, 0.5%, respectively.

Key words: Catalytic hydrogenation, 4-Methylcyclohexanone, p-Cresol