| abstract |
The invention relates to a process for preparing phenol derivatives by catalytic oxidation of an aromatic hydrocarbon to the hydroperoxide and subsequent cleavage of the hydroperoxide to give the phenol derivative and a ketone, wherein a compound of the formula I n n n where n R 1 , R 2 =H, aliphatic or aromatic alkoxy radical, carboxyl radical, alkoxycarbonyl radical or hydrocarbon radical, in each case having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, SO 3 H, NH 2 , OH, F, Cl, Br, I and/or NO 2 , where R 1 and R 2 are identical or different radicals or R 1 and R 2 may be joined to one another via a covalent bond, and n X, Z=C, S, CH 2 n Y=O, OH n k=0, 1, 2 n l=0, 1, 2 n m=1-3; n is used as oxidation catalyst in the presence of a free-radical initiator, where the molar ratio of the catalyst to the aromatic hydrocarbon is less than 10 mol %. |