CO-PRODUCTION OF PHENOL, ACETONE, ALPHA-METHYLSTYRENE AND PROPYLENE OXIDE, AND CATALYST THEREFOR

摘要

A process is disclosed for producing alpha-methylstyrene, acetone, and phenol wherein the amount of alpha-methylstyrene produced may be controlled by selectively converting a portion of the cumene hydroperoxide to dimethyl phenyl carbinol, the hydrated form of alpha-methylstyrene. The dimethyl phenyl carbinol thus produced will lead to increased production of alpha-methylstyrene upon dehydration in the acid cleavage unit of the phenol plant. By controlling the fraction of the cumene hydroperoxide reduced to dimethyl phenyl carbinol, the amount of alpha-methylstyrene produced in the plant can be continuously set to meet the demand of the market for alpha-methylstyrene. Also disclosed is a non-acidic catalyst for reduction of cumene hydroperoxide.