US4992600A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for the oxidation of benzene to phenol
Assignee: Shell USA Inc
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Filing: 1989-09-26
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Granted: 1991-02-12
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Expires: 2009-09-26
Abstract
Abstract The instant invention relates to a process for the oxidation of benzene to phenol which comprises contacting benzene and molecular oxygen with a dihydrodihydroxyanthracene-sulfonate salt dissolved in water, optionally in the presence of an oxidation catalyst, and subsequently separating from the reaction product phenol and the corresponding anthraquinone-sulfonate. The by-product anthraquinone is suitably recycled to the benzene oxidation step by hydrogenating the anthraquinone salt to the dihydrodihydroxyanthracene salt.
Inventors
- 👤 Kuo-Hua Chao
- 👤 Raymond T. Moy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 12:42
CPC Classifications
C; C07; C07C; C07C37/00; C07C37/58
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
A process for the oxidation of benzene to phenol which comprises contacting at a temperature ranging from about 0° C. to about 100° C. benzene and molecular oxygen with an alkali metal salt of dihydrodihydroxyanthracene-sulfonate having at least one sulfonate moiety on the 2, 3, 6 or 7 locant position(s) and which salt is dissolved in water, and subsequently separating from the reaction product phenol and the corresponding alkali metal salt of anthraquinonesulfonate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
73 words
A process for the oxidation of benzene to phenol which comprises contacting at a temperature ranging from about 0° C. to about 100° C. benzene and molecular oxygen with an alkali metal salt of dihydrodihydroxyanthracene-sulfonate having at least one sulfonate moiety on the 2, 3, 6 or 7 locant position(s) and which salt is dissolved in water, and subsequently separating from the reaction product phenol and the corresponding alkali metal salt of anthraquinonesulfonate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the oxidation is carried out at a temperature ranging from about 25° C. to about 75° C.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The process of any one of claims 1-2 wherein the oxidation is also carried out in the presence of an oxidation catalyst comprising vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, copper, yttrium, niobium, molybdenum, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, silver, the lanthanide series, rhenium, osmium, bismuth, thorium, uranium, tungsten, mercury, lead, titanium, thallium and mixtures thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 3 wherein the oxidation catalyst is supported palladium catalyst.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 4 wherein the oxidation catalyst is a palladium supported on carbon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 3 wherein the oxidation catalyst is a water soluble ferric salt selected from ferric nitrate, ferric chloride and mixtures thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The process of any one of claims 1-2 wherein the alkali metal salt of the anthraquinone-sulfonate is contacted with hydrogen and a hydrogenation catalyst whereby the anthraquinone salt is hydrogenated to the corresponding dihydrodihydroxyanthracene salt which is then recycled back to the oxidation reaction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
The process of claim 7 wherein the oxidation is also carried out in the presence of an oxidation catalyst comprising vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, copper, yttrium, niobium, molybdenum, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, silver, the lanthanide series, rhenium, osmium, bismuth, thorium, uranium, tungsten, mercury, lead, titanium, thallium and mixtures thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 8 wherein the oxidation catalyst is a supported palladium catalyst.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 9 wherein the oxidation catalyst is palladium supported on carbon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 8 wherein the oxidation catalyst is a water soluble ferric salt selected from ferric nitrate, ferric chloride and mixtures thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3133122A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-02-11 | 1994-08-13 | 1995-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-02-11 | 1998-08-13 | 1999-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-02-11 | 2002-08-13 | 2003-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |