Process for the production of dihydric phenols

Abstract

A process for the production of dihydric phenoles by oxidizing diisopropylbenzenes, which comprises oxidizing diisopropylbenzenes with molecular oxygen to obtain a reaction product mixture (A) containing at least diisopropylbenzene dihydroperoxide (DHP) and diisopropylbenzene monocarbinol monohydroperoxide (HHP), supply said product mixture (A) in a form of oily phase as a solution in an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent to an agitation reactor, supplying thereto at the same time, as an aqueous phase, hydrogen peroxide at a feed rate of 1-5 moles per mole of HHP contained in the product mixture and an acid catalyst in an amount sufficient to reach a concentration in the aqueous phase of 10-40% by weight, the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the aqueous phase being maintained at a value of at least 20% by weight and the weight ratio of the oily phase/aqueous phase being at least 10, causing oxidization of the HHP into DHP by hydrogen peroxide while maintaining the reaction temperature at 30.degree.-60.degree. C. to obtain a reaction product mixture (B), separating the aqueous phase from the oily phase in the reaction product mixture (B) and subjecting the DHP in the so separated oily phase to an acid cleavage to form corresponding dihydric phenol. The process permits to dispense with the removal of the reaction water, recirculation of the aromatic hydrocarbon and of the aqueous phase, while allowing a higher ratio of oily phase/aqueous phase and thus allowing reduction of the requisite amount of hydrogen peroxide and of the acid catalyst with simultaneous decrease in the reaction time.