| abstract |
The invention relates to a process for the preparation of cycloalkanone and optionally cycloalkanol by causing a mixture containing cycloalkylhydroperoxide to react with cycloalkene under the influence of a catalyst, characterised in that the reaction is carried out with a short measure of cycloalkene relative to the cycloalkylhydroperoxide, under such conditions that virtually all of the cycloalkene reacts to cycloalkene oxide and optionally cycloalkanol and/or cycloalkanone, after which the mixture, optionally after decomposition of cycloalkylhydroperoxide and distillation of cycloalkane, is subjected to a first separation, in which cycloalkene oxide - and optionally other components - is separated, after which the cycloalkene oxide in the separated mixture is isomerised to substantially cycloalkanone, after which the cycloalkanone obtained - and optionally cycloalkanol - is recovered. <IMAGE> |