Abstract:
The invention relates to an improvement in the liquid phase catalytic oxidation of cyclohexane to cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol at elevated temperatures and superatmospheric pressures using an oxygen containing gas, such as oxygen or air, while maintaining substantially anhydrous conditions by removal of water during the oxidation reaction. The improvement resides in the use of more than one part and less than about six parts by weight of benzene per part of cyclohexane in the oxidation feedstock. Significantly increased yields of the above oxidation products, particularly at high cyclohexane oxidation conversion levels, are realized by utilizing this process.
Abstract:
A process for preparing cyclohexanone whereby a mixture of cyclohexane carboxylic acid in the vapor phase and a gas containing molecular oxygen at temperatures of from about 250*C. to 600*C. are passed through a static catalyst bed, said catalyst containing copper or a copper salt.