Oxidation of alkylaromatic compounds

A process for oxidizing an alkylaromatic compound to the corresponding alkylaromatic hydroperoxide, the process comprising contacting an alkylaromatic compound of general formula (I):

• in which R3 represents hydrogen, one or more alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a cyclohexyl group, with air in the presence of a catalyst comprising a cyclic imide of the general formula (II):
• wherein each of R1 and R2 is independently selected from hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl radicals having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or from the groups SO3H, NH2, OH, and NO2 or from the atoms H, F, Cl, Br, and I, provided that R1 and R2 can be linked to one another via a covalent bond;
• each of Q1 and Q2 is independently selected from C, CH, CR3;
• each of X and Z is independently selected from C, S, CH2, N, P and elements of Group 4 of the Periodic Table;
• Y is O or OH;
• k is 0, 1, or 2;
• 1 is 0, 1, or 2;
• m is 1 to 3;
• and
• R3 can be any of the entities listed for R1;
• and
• wherein said contacting is conducted at a temperature of about 90° C. to about 150° C. and a pressure of between about 15 kPa and about 500 kPa, said cyclic imide is present in an amount between about 0.05 wt % and about 5 wt % of the alkylaromatic compound in said feed, and said catalyst is substantially free of alkali metal compounds, said contacting oxidizing at least part of the alkylaromatic compound in said feed to the corresponding alkylaromatic hydroperoxide.