Abstract:
This invention relates to the purification of phenol produced by the decomposition of cumene hydroperoxide by heating the phenol with a polyamine compound to remove carbonyl-bearing impurities and then acidifying the phenol to give a product which remains color stable on aging. After the addition of the polyamine compound, the phenol is distilled free of the polyamine compound and the carbonyl-bearing impurities. This distillation can be carried out either before or after the acid is added.