OXIDATION OF SEC-BUTYLBENZENE AND PRODUCTON OF PHENOL AND METHYL ETHYL KETONE

摘要

In a process for oxidizing sec-butylbenzene to the corresponding hydroperoxide, a feed containing sec-butylbenzene is contacted with an oxygen- containing gas in a reactor comprising a gas inlet and a gas outlet for said oxygen- containing gas. The contacting is conducted at a temperature, T, in degrees Centigrade, between about 90°C and about 140°C and an oxygen partial pressure at the gas outlet of the reactor, Opp, in kPa determined by the formula (I) (1527.33 - 10.83T) > O_pp > (1320.48 - 10.83T) (I), provided that Opp is always greater than zero. The resulting hydroperoxide can be cleaved, optionally in the presence of a catalyst, to co-produce phenol and methyl ethyl ketone.