US 5,015,786 A · Preparation of cumene through alkylation of an aromatic compound and preparation of phenol through cumene

Abstract

In a first form, a process is provided for preparing phenol by converting acetone by-produced by the cumene process into isopropanol, and alkylating benzene with the isopropanol and optional propylene, thereby forming phenol without acetone by-product. And cumene is prepared by alkylating benzene in the presence of a zeolite catalyst using isopropanol or a mixture of isopropanol and propylene as an alkylating agent. Further provided is the continuous alkylation of benzene with isopropanol wherein a reaction mixture is divided into first and second portions, with the first portion being recycled to the reactor and the second portion being taken out as a reaction product.

Claims7

Dependent claims

A process for preparing phenol, comprising the steps of:

(a-1) alkylating benzene with isopropanol using a zeolyte catalyst at a temperature in the range of from 100.degree. to 450.degree. C. under liquid phase conditions at elevated pressure to synthesize cumene,
(b) oxidizing the cumene from step (a-1) with molecular oxygen at a temperature in the range of from 60.degree. to 150.degree. C. into cumene hydroperoxide,
(c) subjecting the cumene hydroperoxide to acid cleavage with an acidic compound selected from the group consisting of strong acids, heteropoly-acids and solid acids to synthesize phenol and acetone, and thereafter
(d) hydrogenating the acetone from step (c) with hydrogen gas at a temperature in the range of from 60.degree. to 150.degree. C. in a fixed bed under liquid phase conditions into isopropanol which is recycled to step (a-1).

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Preparation of cumene through alkylation of an aromatic compound and preparation of phenol through cumene

Life of this patent

Preparation of cumene through alkylation of an aromatic compound and preparation of phenol through cumene

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims7