Poly:alkylbenzene hydroperoxide prodn. - by pre-oxidn. then adding sulpholane accelerator and continuing reaction on the homogeneous soln.

摘要

Hydroperoxidation of alkylbenzenes of formula (I), (where R1 is 3-6C alkyl with a tert. C atom; R2 is 1-6C alkyl; x is 1-3) with poor solubility in sulpholane (II) comprises liq. phase treatment with O2 (contg. gas) at 75-150 degrees C in presence of 25-150 wt.% (II) (based on (I)). This process is now improved by liq. phase oxidn. of >=10, pref. 15-25% the (I) before adding the (II), then continuing the oxidn. to prod. a homogeneous soln. Specified (I) are m- or -p-diisopropyl-, triisopropyl-benzenes; diisopropyltoluene or 5-isopropyl-m-xylene. The peroxide prods. can be decomposed to mono- or dihydric phenols and acetone by acid catalysis. (II) increases the reaction rate but will normally not work if (I) is insoluble. The pre-oxidn. step ensures a homogeneous soln. so that this accelerating effect is achieved.