Patent ID: 6420609
Filing Date: 2002-07-16
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
A process for the production of dihydroketoisophorone (2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexane-1,4-dione) represented by the structure comprising reacting &bgr;-isophorone (3,5,5-trimethylcyclohex-3-en-1-one) represented by the structure with an organic percarboxylic acid in the form of its non-aqueous solution in an inert organic solvent at a temperature of 0Â° C. to 300Â° C., the percarboxylic acid used as oxidizing agent being formed in a pre-determined equilibrium and absorbed or extracted with the solvent used for oxidation, thereby forming:a mixture of &bgr;-isophorone epoxide and its isomer 4-hydroxyisophorone (HIP), isomerizing said mixture â€œin situâ€  thermally or in the presence of an acid catalyst or in the presence of a salt.