PROCESS FOR PRODUCING 4-HYDROXYACETOPHENONE

摘要

A process of acetylating phenol to 4-hydroxyacetophenone by contacting phenol with about 0.9 to 2.0 moles per mole of phenol of acetic anhydride as acetylating agent in the presence of about 8 to 60 moles per mole of phenol of hydrogen. fluoride as catalyst at a temperature of reaction of about 30 to 95.degree.C for a reaction period of at least about 10 minutes, said temperature of reaction being at least about 45.degree.C when said number of moles of hydrogen fluoride per mole of phenol is no greater than about 12. The process generally results in phenol conversions of at least about 90% and reaction selectivities to 4-hydroxyacetophenone of at least about 70%.