GB1006319A - Process for the production of aralkyl-monohydroperoxides - Google Patents

Abstract

Aralkylmonohydroperoxides having the general formula <FORM:1006319/C2/1> wherein Ar is an aryl or aralkyl radical and R and R1 may each be either a hydrocarbon radical or a hydrogen atom, are made by oxidizing a hydrocarbon having the general formula <FORM:1006319/C2/2> with oxygen or oxygen-containing gas without any irradiation of the said hydrocarbon, in the absence of catalysts and in the substantial absence of water and pH-controlling additives, while the pH (determined by extracting a given amount of the reaction mixture with an equal volume of water and finding the pH of the aqueous extract) lies between 2.8 and 6, preferably 4.5 and 5.5, and the reaction is performed at an elevated temperature below the lowest possible explosive decomposition temperature of the oxidation products formed, to achieve conversion of said hydrocarbon while keeping the formation of by-products to a minimum. The residence times should be as short as possible and should preferably not exceed 120 minutes. The reaction temperature normally lies between 90 DEG and 135 DEG C. An example describes the oxidation of cumene to cumene hydroperoxide.