| abstract |
A cumene oxidation product containing cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) and dimethylphenylcarbinol (DMPC) is decomposed with acid catalyst in a first step at mild temperatures that lowers the CHP concentration to about 0.5-5% and converts most of the DMPC to dicumylperoxide (DCP). In a second step at mild temperatures the CHP concentration is lowered below 0.4%. In a third step the DCP is decomposed at a higher temperature for a short time to alpha-methylstyrene (AMS), phenol and acetone, with any remaining DMPC also converted to AMS. The DCP concentration is monitored during the third step, and the reaction is stopped by cooling when about 0.5-5% of the DCP remains undecomposed so as to maximize AMS yield. |