PROCESS FOR OXIDIZING ALKYLAROMATIC COMPOUNDS

摘要

In a process for oxidizing alkylaromatic compounds to the corresponding hydroperoxide, an alkylaromatic compound of general formula (I): in which R¹ and R² each independently represents an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, provided that R¹ and R² may be joined to form a cyclic group having from 4 to 10 carbon atoms, said cyclic group being optionally substituted, and R³ represents hydrogen, one or more alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a cyclohexyl group, is contacted 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 R¹, R² and R³ have the same meaning as in formula (I). The hydroperoxide may then be converted into a phenol and a ketone of the general formula R¹COCH2R²(III), in which R¹ and R² have the same meaning as in formula (I).