Patent ID: 7205442
Filing Date: 2007-04-17
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
1. A method of making a high purity phenol product, said method comprises: subjecting a mixed feed comprising cumene and sec-butyl benzene to oxidation conditions to yield an oxidation reaction product comprising sec-butyl benzene hydroperoxide and cumene hydroperoxide; subjecting at least a portion of the sec-butyl benzene hydroperoxide and cumene hydroperoxide of said oxidation reaction product to decomposition reaction conditions to yield a cleavage reaction product comprising phenol, acetone, and methyl ethyl ketone; separating said cleavage reaction product into at least a phenol product stream and another product stream wherein said phenol product stream comprises at least a portion of said phenol of said cleavage reaction product and a contaminant by-product; and contacting under suitable purification reaction conditions said phenol product stream with an acid catalyst to thereby convert at least a portion of said contaminant by-product to a reaction product.