| abstract |
Polychlorobenzenes are selectively dechlorinated to dichlorobenzenes and monochlorobenzene in the vapor phase in the presence of a sulfided palladium or platinum catalyst. The reaction may be carried out at a temperature of from 225 DEG C. to 450 DEG C., preferably at atmospheric pressure, with an equimolar ratio of hydrogen and polychlorobenzene, and a space velocity of 0.5 to 5 wt. feed/wt. catalyst-hour. Only small amounts of benzene are formed. |