Catalytic process for the conversion of toluene to equimolar amounts of phenol acetate and methylene diacetate
US4260808A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 3, 1978 |
| Grant date | Apr 7, 1981 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 3, 1998 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC07C67/035
- WIPO fieldOrganic fine chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Equimolar amounts of phenol and formaldehyde may be prepared from oxygen and toluene. The catalytic oxidation of toluene, when carried out in the presence of acetic anhydride, forms phenyl acetate and methylene diacetate. Pyrolysis of these two intermediates yields phenol and formaldehyde. Significant improvements in this process are achieved when the first stage of the reaction is carried out in the presence of MoO.sub.3. In a further embodiment of this invention it has been found that Group VIII dithiosemibenzil compounds, particularly nickel dithiosemibenzil, serves as a superior promoter for the toluene oxidation reaction. In still a further embodiment of this invention it has been found that persulfate promoters such as potassium persulfate, persulfuric acid, or Caro's dry acid are particularly effective promoters for the toluene oxidation reaction. In a like manner, hydroquinone or resorcinol may be obtained from cresyl acetates.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.