摘要 |
In a process for oxidizing alkylaromatic compounds to the corresponding hydroperoxide, an alkylaromatic compound of general formula (I): in which R<SUP>1 </SUP>and R<SUP>2 </SUP>each independently represents an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, provided that R<SUP>1 </SUP>and R<SUP>2 </SUP>may be joined to form a cyclic group having from 4 to 10 carbon atoms, said cyclic group being optionally substituted, and R<SUP>3 </SUP>represents hydrogen, one or more alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a cyclohexyl group, with oxygen in the presence of an added catalyst comprising tert-butyl hydroperoxide and in the absence of any other catalyst, to produce a hydroperoxide of general formula (II): in which R<SUP>1</SUP>, R<SUP>2 </SUP>and R<SUP>3 </SUP>have the same meaning as in formula (I). The hydroperoxide may then be converted into a phenol and a ketone of the general formula R<SUP>1</SUP>COCH<SUB>2</SUB>R<SUP>2 </SUP>(III), in which R<SUP>1 </SUP>and R<SUP>2 </SUP>have the same meaning as in formula (I). |