| abstract |
Abstract The invention relates to a process for decarboxylative oxidation of a benzene monocarboxylic acid or a salt, ester or anhydride thereof, in the liquid phase and at an elevated temperature, with the aid of a gas containing molecular oxygen. According to the invention the tarry product formed is subjected to a hydrogenating treatment, either in the absense of a catalyst at a temperature of, preferably, 400-1200°C, or in the presence of a catalyst, for instance a hydro-cracking catalyst or a catalyst promoting the formation of cyclohexanone and/or cyclohexanol possibly substituted in the ring. The invention provides the possibility of converting a by-product, so far unusable, into useful products, particularly a phenol or a cyclohexanone and/or cyclohexanol. A particularly advantageous application of the process invented lies in the preparation of cyclohexanone and/or cyclohexanol on the basis of benzoic acid. |