Process for Producing Phenol

摘要

In a process for producing phenol, cyclohexylbenzene is contacted with oxygen in the presence of an oxidation catalyst comprising a cyclic imide under oxidation conditions effective to produce a product comprising cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide and unreacted cyclic imide catalyst. At least a portion of the product is contacted with a cleavage catalyst under conditions effective to convert at least a portion of the cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide into a second product comprising further unreacted cyclic imide catalyst, phenol, and cyclohexanone. A portion of the further unreacted cyclic imide catalyst may then be removed from the second product and optionally recycled back to the oxidation step.

主权项

1. A process for producing phenol, the process comprising:
(a) contacting cyclohexylbenzene with an oxygen-containing compound in the presence of an oxidation catalyst comprising a cyclic imide under oxidation conditions effective to produce a first product comprising cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide and unreacted cyclic imide catalyst; (b) contacting at least a portion of the first product with a cleavage catalyst under conditions effective to convert at least a portion of the cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide in said first product into a second product comprising further unreacted cyclic imide catalyst, phenol and cyclohexanone, wherein less than 50 wt % of the unreacted cyclic imide catalyst is removed from the first product prior to the contacting step (b); and (c) removing at least a portion of the further unreacted cyclic imide catalyst from the second product.