Method for producing aromatic alcohols, especially phenol

A process comprising catalytically oxidizing an aromatic hydrocarbon to form a hydroperoxide, and subsequently cleaving the hydroperoxide to form a phenol derivative and a ketone, wherein the aromatic hydrocarbon is a compound of the formula IV

• where R1, R2=aliphatic hydrocarbon radical having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, where R1 and R2 are identical or different and R1 and R2 are joined to one another via a covalent bond, and Ar=aromatic hydrocarbon radical, wherein the process is carried out in the presence of an oxidization catalyst of the formula I and a free-radical initiator, wherein the molar ratio of the catalyst to the aromatic hydrocarbon is less than 10 mol %,
• where R1, R2 is a group selected from the group consisting of H, aliphatic alkoxy radical, aromatic alkoxy radical, carboxyl radical, alkoxycarbonyl radical and hydrocarbon radical, in each case having one or more groups selected from the group consisting of from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, SO3H, NH2, OH, F, Cl, Br, I and NO2, where R1 R2 are identical or different radicals or R1 and R2 may be joined to one another via a covalent bond, and
• X, Z=C, S, CH2,
• O, OH,
• k=0, 1,2,
• l=0,1,2, and
• m=1-3,
• wherein when X=C, k must be 1;
• when Z=C, l must be 1;
• when X=S, k must be 2;
• when Z=S, k must be 2;
• when X=CH2, k must be 0;
• when Z=CH2, l must be 0.