Oxidation of isopropylbenzene to hydroperoxide in the presence of N-hydroxyphthalimide

Abstract

The features of the aerobic oxidation of isopropylbenzene to hydroperoxide have been studied using N-hydroxyphthalimide as the catalyst in different devices: recycle flow, bubble, and model reactor units, using both chemically pure and technical-grade isopropylbenzene. A computer model of the isopropylbenzene oxidation and hydroperoxide recovery units has been created as applied to coproduction of phenol and acetone. The technological parameters for isopropylbenzene oxidation in the absence of catalyst (industrial process) and in the presence of N-hydroxyphthalimide have been calculated.