Catalyst and by-prods. removed from cumene hydroperoxide cleavage - using inorg. salt and excess alkali metal hydroxide or phenate

摘要

Residual mineral acid catalyst (I) and organic acid by-prods. (II) from cumene hydroperoxide cleavage are sepd. by contact in a first zone with aq. soln. of inorganic salt (III) and excess alkali metal hydroxide or phenate (IV), sepn. of aq. phase contg. neutralised (I) and (II), further contant of organic phase in second zone with aq. soln. of (III) and enough acid to decompose phenate carried over from first zone, and sepn. of aq. phase. Phenol prodn. residues are freed of (I) and (II) without contaminating prods. with undesirable quantities of (in)organic salts which can foul and corrode process equipment and reduce yield.