| abstract |
Cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone are prepared by oxidation of cyclohexane to a reaction mixture (oxide) which mainly contains cyclohexylhydroperoxide and cyclohexanol, cyclohexanone and other products, followed by selective decomposition of this cyclohexylhydroperoxide in the separate decomposition reactor or reactors, in the liquid phase, at a temperature of 70 to 100 °C, in the presence of a catalyst, which is a solution of a metal salt of variable valence and the majority of reaction products which inhibit the decomposition reaction and the deactivation of the catalyst, including in particular the water are continuously removed from the reactor/reactors. Oxide before bringing into the decomposition reactor/reactors is expanded to a pressure the decompression reaction, washed with water, the water from the organic layer is removed. The product leaving the decomposition reactor/reactors is washed with water and then is directed into the regeneration of an unconverted cyclohexane. |