| abstract |
Benzene or alkylbenzene (e.g. toluene) is alkylated with propylene to produce diisopropylbenzenes or isopropylalkylbenzenes, which in turn are selectively cracked to remove the 1,4-isomer. The resultant product, containing a high level of the 1,3-isomer, is then oxidized to 1,3-dihydroxybenzene or 3-alkylphenol (e.g. 3-methylphenyl) in significant yield. |