METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF '-TETRALONE

摘要

METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF .alpha.-TETRALONE The specification discloses a method of producing .alpha.-tetralone from tetralin substantially without the production of .alpha.-tetralol as a by-product. .alpha.-Tetralone is used as the raw material for the production of .alpha.-naphthol and the presence of any .alpha.-tetralol results in the contamination of the product by naphthalene. The method includes oxidizing tetralin in the absence of a catalyst at a temperature in the range of 50-100.degree.C until 25 to 35% by weight of the tetralin is converted to tetralin hydroperoxide. An inorganic metal salt is then added to the resulting solution at a temperature of 0-90.degree.C to convert the tetralin hydroperoxide to .alpha.-tetralone.