Cyclohexanone-containing products and processes for making the same

A process for abating 3-cyclohexenone from a feed mixture comprising providing a first feed stream comprising 3-cylclohexenone, cyclohexanone and optionally phenol to a first distillation column at a first feed mixture feeding location, wherein a lower effluent stream at the bottom of the distillation column comprising cyclohexylbenzene, bicyclohexane, and other optional heavy components is produced to obtain a substantially pure stream of cyclohexylbenzene and then recycled to an upstream oxidation reactor where cyclohexylbenzene is oxidized to form cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide;

• and from the distillation column a middle effluent is drawn at a middle effluent location above the first feed mixture location, but below the top of the distillation column, wherein the middle effluent is then fed into a hydrogenation reactor together with a stream of hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst under hydrogenation conditions to obtain a hydrogenated mixture, and obtaining from the hydrogenated mixture a cyclohexanone-containing product substantially free of phenol and comprising, based on the total weight thereof:
• at least 10 wt % of cyclohexanone;
• 0 to 90 wt % of cyclohexanol;
• and no more than 20 ppm by weight of 3-cyclohexenone.