Dsm N.v.

Johannes Ghm Housmans

Ubaldus F Kragten

Henricus A Baur

The invention relates to a process for decomposing a mixture containing cycloalkyl hydroperoxide with an aqueous phase containing alkali metal hydroxide where, besides the alkali metal hydroxide, there is also at least 10 wt. % of the aqueous phase of one or more alkali metal salts. The alkali metal salts are preferably alkali metal carbonates, or alkali metal salts of mono- and poly-carboxylic acids, with the carboxylic acid moiety containing 1-24 carbon atoms.

Process for decomposing cycloalkyl hydroperoxide

The present invention relates to a method for the continuous preparation of a mixture of a cycloalkanone, a cycloalkanol and a cycloalkylhydroperoxide. In the method, a cycloalkane, corresponding to the cycloalkenone, cycloalkenol and cycloalkylhydroperoxide, is oxidized in a continuous process, with the aid of an oxygen-containing gas, in the absence of a metal catalyst, at a temperature of between 130.degree. C. and 200.degree. C. The oxidation is at least partly carried out in the presence of between 0.002 and 2 mmol of a phenolic compound per kg of reaction mixture (mmol/kg).

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Maasbracht, Netherlands

Johannes Ghm Housmans