Patent GB-705640-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to liquid phase reactions
IPC: C07C45/53
Filed: 1952-05-16
Abstract: A liquid phase reaction under the catalytic influence of an absorbed gaseous compound is effected in one or more absorption vessels which contain the gaseous catalyst by causing the liquid to flow as a film along one or more surfaces inside the vessel or vessels (see Group III).  Reactions which may be carried out are the decomposition of aryl hydroperoxides to phenols and aldehydes or ketones in the presence of sulphur dioxide, and the condensation of aryl hydroperoxides with phenolic compounds in the presence of gaseous hydrogen chloride to form polynuclear phenolic compounds in which two hydrogen atoms attached to the same carbon atom are replaced by phenolic radicals; compounds of this type are also obtained by reaction of phenolic compounds with aldehydes or ketones.  The hydroperoxide may be dissolved in a non-basic organic solvent, e.g. the aromatic compound from which it has been obtained by oxidation. Cumene hydroperoxide (which may be dissolved in cumene) is decomposed at a temperature of -10 DEG  to 50 DEG C. forming phenol and acetone together with some methanol and acetophenone; the reaction products may be worked up as described in Specification 649,286.  Other decomposition reactions are p-tert. butyl cumene hydroperoxide to p-tert. butyl phenol and acetone, p-cymene hydroperoxide to p-cresol and acetone, p-methoxy-cumene hydroperoxide to hydroquinone monomethyl ether and acetone, and ethyl benzene hydroperoxide to phenol and acetaldehyde.  Reaction between cumene hydroperoxide and 1-4 times the theoretical amount of phenol at 10 DEG -50 DEG C. produces 2, 2-di (4-hydroxyphenyl) propane; the reaction is promoted by ethyl mercaptan.  The same product is obtained by reaction of phenol and acetone in the presence of gaseous hydrogen chloride.ALSO:<PICT:0705640/III/1> <PICT:0705640/III/2> A liquid phase reaction under the catalytic influence of an absorbed gaseous compound is effected in one or more absorption vessels which contain the gaseous catalyst by causing the liquid to flow as a film along one or more surfaces inside the vessel or vessels.  The liquid may flow as a continuous thin film or layer over the vessel walls or over baffles, rods, tubes, or inert solid material.  As shown in Fig. 2, liquid from vessel 5 passes through an annular opening between tubes 12 and 13 and flows down the inside wall of tube 1; catalytic gas enters at 11 and inert gas at 15, 16, 17; heat exchange jacket 7 and product receptacle 9 are provided.  In Fig. 3 a number of absorption tubes 18 are arranged in parallel and are surrounded by jacket 19; liquid enters through pipe 30, catalytic gas through pipe 22, and inert gas at 25, 33. The product passes to stripper 35, where gas is removed for re-cycling, and then to fractionator 40.  In a modified apparatus, Fig. 4 (not shown), the liquid flows down the outside of tubes through which a heat exchange medium passes.  Reactions which may be carried out are the decomposition of aryl hydroperoxides to phenols and aldehydes or ketones in the presence of sulphur dioxide, the condensation of aryl hydroperoxides with phenolic compounds in the presence of gaseous hydrogen chloride to form polynuclear phenolic compounds in which two hydrogen atoms attached to the same carbon atom are replaced by phenolic radicals; compounds of this type are also obtained by the reaction of phenolic compounds with aldehydes or ketones (see Group IV (b)).  Reference is also made to the polymerization of linseed oil to stand oil in the presence of sulphur dioxide and the polymerization of di-allyl phthalate in the presence of oxygen or ozone.