Purifying cumene hydroperoxide

摘要

Crude cumene hydroperoxide is purified by subjecting it to an evaporation step at a pressure of about 2 to 10 (preferably 3 to 7) mg Hg abs. and a temperature of about 150 DEG F. to about 210 DEG F. (pref. about 175 DEG F. to 195 DEG F.) to remove light impurities and then subjecting the residue from the first evaporation step to a second evaporation step also at a temperature of about 135 DEG F. to 210 DEG F. (pref. about 150 DEG F. to 185 DEG F.) but at a pressure of about 0.5 to about 8 (preferably 1 to 3) mm Hg abs. to obtain a distillate significantly reduced in color bodies, water, acetophenone, and dimethylbenzyl alcohol, and sodium.