Abstract:
Improved methods for the simultaneous production of dihydroxybenzene and dicarbinol from diisopropylbenzene are provided. These methods provide for continuous and simultaneous production of diisopropylbenzene dihydroperoxide (DHP) and diisopropylbenzene hydroxyhydroperoxide (HHP) using Karr Column extractors operated in series. A very high purity DHP-containing solution, the precursor to the dihydroxybenzene, can be produced according to the reported methods. A safe and efficient method for producing dicarbinol from HHP is also disclosed.