| abstract |
The invention relates to a process for preparing phenol derivatives by catalytic oxidation of an aromatic hydrocarbon to the hydroperoxide and subsequent cleavage of the hydroperoxide to give the phenol derivative and a ketone, wherein a compound of the formula IwhereR<1>, R<2>=H, aliphatic or aromatic alkoxy radical, carboxyl radical, alkoxycarbonyl radical or hydrocarbon radical, in each case having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, SO3H, NH2, OH, F, Cl, Br, I and/or NO2, where R<1 >and R<2 >are identical or different radicals or R<1 >and R<2 >may be joined to one another via a covalent bond, andX, Z=C, S, CH2Y=O, OHk=0, 1, 2l=0, 1, 2m=1-3;is used as oxidation catalyst in the presence of a free-radical initiator, where the molar ratio of the catalyst to the aromatic hydrocarbon is less than 10 mol %. |