| abstract |
In a process for producing phenol, a composition comprising an alkylaromatic compound is contacted with an oxygen-containing stream in the presence of an oxidation catalyst comprising a cyclic imide under oxidation conditions effective to oxidize 15 wt % or less of the alkylaromatic compound based upon the total weight of the composition and produce an oxidation product comprising unreacted alkylaromatic compound and alkylaromatic hydroperoxide in a molar ratio of 6:1 to 100:1. Thereafter, at least a portion of the oxidation product is contacted with an acidic molecular sieve catalyst under cleavage conditions effective to convert at least a portion of the alkylaromatic hydroperoxide into phenol and cyclohexanone. |