Patent attributes
A process for producing a phenol product generally comprises a first step comprising reacting in a first reactor a feed stream comprising cumene hydroperoxide and water with an acid catalyst to produce an effluent comprising the phenol product, acetone, and at least 1% by weight residual cumene hydroperoxide, and a second step comprising passing the effluent into a second reactor and decomposing the residual cumene hydroperoxide, wherein during said process the ratio of phenol to acetone is maintained at a molar ratio of greater than 1:1, and wherein the water in each of the first and second steps is present in an amount more than 0 and less than or equal to 5 weight percent based on the total weight of the feed stream or effluent, and wherein the process is continuous.
