Claims
- 1. A process which comprises reacting p-isopropenylphenol with an at least equimolar amount of hydrogen peroxide in the presence of glacial acetic acid and a catalytic amount of a strong acid selected from the group consisting of sulfuric, phosphoric, p-toluenesulfonic, benzenesulfonic, methanesulfonic and ethanesulfonic acids, said reaction being carried out at a temperature not greater than 80.degree. C. whereby there is obtained hydroquinone and acetone.
- 2. The process of claim 1 wherein the strong acid is sulfuric acid.
- 3. The process of claim 1 wherein the p-isopropenylphenol starting material employed is a mixture thereof with phenol, said mixture having been obtained by the alkaline cleavage of bisphenol A.
- 4. A semicontinuous process for the conversion of phenol to hydroquinone which comprises condensing phenol and acetone in the presence of acid to obtain Bisphenol A, subjecting said Bisphenol A to alkaline hydrolysis to yield a mixture of phenol and p-isopropenylphenol subjecting said mixture of phenol and p-isopropenylphenol, without separation, to reaction with at least an equimolar amount, based on p-isopropenylphenol, of hydrogen peroxide in the presence of an inert solvent and a catalytic amount of a strong acid selected from the group consisting of sulfuric, phosphoric, p-toluenesulfonic, benzenesulfonic, methanesulfonic and ethanesulfonic acids said reaction being carried out at a temperature not greater than 80.degree. C., to obtain a mixture of hydroquinone, phenol, and acetone, recovering the hydroquinone therefrom, and recovering the phenol and acetone generated as by-products for re-use as starting materials in a subsequent cycle of the above steps.
- 5. The process of claim 4 wherein the strong acid employed in the final stage is sulfuric acid.
- 6. A process which comprises adding a strong acid, selected from the group consisting of sulfuric, phosphoric, p-toluenesulfonic, benzenesulfonic, methanesulfonic and ethanesulfonic acids, to a mixture in solution in glacial acetic acid of p-isopropenylphenol and an at least equimolar amount, based on said phenol, of hydrogen peroxide, maintaining the temperature of the reaction mixture below about 80.degree. C. until oxidation is substantially complete and recovering hydroquinone therefrom.
- 7. The process of claim 6 wherein the p-isopropenylphenol is employed in admixture with phenol in the form of the reaction product obtained by alkaline cleavage of Bisphenol A.
Parent Case Info
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 388,443, filed Aug. 15, 1973 now abandoned which latter is a continuation of application Ser. No. 134,871, filed Apr. 16, 1971, now abandoned.
US Referenced Citations (2)
Number |
Name |
Date |
Kind |
2497503 |
Jones |
Feb 1950 |
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2644014 |
Saunders |
Jun 1953 |
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Continuations (2)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
388443 |
Aug 1973 |
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Parent |
134871 |
Apr 1971 |
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