Process for producing hydroquinone and derivates

摘要

The present disclosure relates to an improved, environmentally friendly, process for producing compounds such as hydroquinone (benzene-1,4-diol) and its derivatives. The process can be carried out at ambient temperature and pressure using a recyclable copper catalyst and recyclable intermediate materials. The process generally entails reacting an aromatic compound such as benzene with hydrogen peroxide in the present of a pure elemental copper catalyst or a copper (I) salt catalyst to form oxidation product such as benzoquinone, and reducing the compound to hydroquinone or a hydroquinone derivative.

主权项

1. A process for producing hydroquinone comprising reacting benzene with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of elemental copper catalyst or a copper(I) salt catalyst to form oxidation product comprising benzoquinone and phenol, and converting the oxidation product to hydroquinone by reduction, provided that the selectivity for hydroquinone from benzene is greater than 60%.