Patent ID: 8921610
Filing Date: 2014-12-30
Classification: C07C,C07D,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A process for oxidizing an alkylbenzene, the process comprising: (a) supplying a composition comprising (i) an alkylbenzene of the general formula (I): where R 1 and R 2 each independently represents hydrogen or an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, wherein R 1 and R 2 may be joined to form a cyclic group having from 4 to 10 carbon atoms, the cyclic group being optionally substituted, and R 3 represents hydrogen, one or more alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a cyclohexyl group and (ii) about 0.05 wt % to about 5.0 wt % of phenol, the wt % based upon total weight of the composition; and (b) contacting the composition with oxygen in the presence of a catalyst containing a cyclic imide having the general formula (III): wherein X represents an oxygen atom, a hydroxyl group, or an acyloxy group, and R 4 and R 5 are the same or different and each represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group, a cycloalkyl group, a hydroxyl group, an alkoxy group, a carboxyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, or an acyl group, provided that R 4 and R 5 may be bound together to form a double bond or an aromatic- or non-aromatic ring, and wherein the contacting step (b) is conducted under conditions effective to convert at least a portion of the alkylbenzene to an alkylbenzene hydroperoxide.