| abstract |
A process for producing a highly pure phenol, in which a crude phenol obtained from an acid-decomposition product of cumene hydroperoxide and having an α-methylstyrene content of 15% by weight or less is catalytically treated with an acidic γ-alumina catalyst having a specific surface area of 80 to 400 m 2 /g and an acid strength, according to Hammett's acidity function (Ho), of 3≦Ho≦6.8, in order to convert aliphatic and aromatic carbonyl compounds contained in the crude phenol into high-boiling compounds without causing the substantial formation of a dimer of α-methylstyrene contained in the crude phenol, and then, a phenol and the so-formed high-boiling compounds were separated by distillation. |