Immobilized triflate derivatives (La(OTf)(3), AgOTf, tert-butyldimethylsilyltrifluoro-methanesulfonate), and triflic acid were found to be effective in the alkylation of phenol and naphthols with tert-butanol. The acidic strength and type of acidity (Lewis or Bronsted) are key factors controlling the conversion and product distribution.
Gagea, B., Parvulescu, A., Parvulescu, V., Auroux, A., Grange, P., & Poncelet, G. (2003). Alkylation of phenols and naphthols on silica-immobilized triflate derivatives. Catalysis Letters, 91(1-2), 141-144. https://doi.org/10.1023/B:CATL.0000006330.84737.fb (Original work published 2003)