Process for producing phenol and methyl ethyl ketone

US7759524B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY · US

Inventors

• John S. Buchanan · Flemington, US
• Jihad M. Dakka · Whitehouse Station, US
• Stephen Zushma · Clinton, US
• Francisco M. Benitez · Houston, US
• Steven E. Silverberg · Seabrook, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 18, 2008
• Grant date: Jul 20, 2010
• Expiry date: Dec 18, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C409/08
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

In a process for producing phenol and methyl ethyl ketone, benzene and a C4 olefin are contacted under alkylation conditions and in the presence of an alkylation catalyst to produce sec-butylbenzene. The sec-butylbenzene is then oxidized to produce an oxidation effluent comprising sec-butylbenzene hydroperoxide and acetophenone. At least part of the sec-butylbenzene hydroperoxide in the oxidation effluent is cleaved to produce phenol and methyl ethyl ketone, while at least part of the acetophenone is hydrogenated to produce at least one of methyl benzyl alcohol, styrene and ethylbenzene.