PRODUCTION AND USE OF 3,4' AND 4,4'-DIMETHYLBIPHENYL ISOMERS

摘要

In a process for producing 3,4' and/or 4,4' dimethyl-substituted biphenyl compounds, a feed comprising toluene is contacted with hydrogen in the presence of a hydroalkylation catalyst under conditions effective to produce a hydroalkylation reaction product comprising (methylcyclohexyl)toluenes. At least part of the hydroalkylation reaction product is dehydrogenated in the presence of a dehydrogenation catalyst under conditions effective to produce a dehydrogenation reaction product comprising a mixture of dimethyl-substituted biphenyl isomers. The dehydrogenation reaction product is then separated into at least a first stream containing at least 50% of 3,4' and 4,4' dimethylbiphenyl isomers by weight of the first stream and at least one second stream comprising one or more 2,x' (where x' is 2', 3', or 4') and 3,3' dimethylbiphenyl isomers.