Patent ID: 8247616

Claim:
A method of producing phenol, acetone and alpha-methyl styrene, the method comprising the steps of: providing a mixture of cumene hydroperoxide and dimethylbenzyl alcohol; subjecting the mixture to a first stage reaction in the presence of about 0.5 to 1.5 wt. % water and about 20 to 400 ppm sulfuric acid at a reactor pressure of about 450 to 760 mm Hg, a temperature of about 60 to 85° C., and a residence time of 4 to 45 minutes to produce a composition having an acetone to phenol mole ratio of about 1 to 1.5; and subjecting the composition to a second stage reaction in the presence of about 0.5 to 3 wt. % additional water with a second stage reactor temperature of about 110 to 150° C. and a residence time of 0.5 to 30 minutes.