Preparation of cumene hydroperoxide

Abstract

Summary Cumene hydroperoxide has been prepared by liquid phase oxidation of cumene with molecular oxygen. The oxidation rates and yields are given of experiments carried out in a “Pyrex” reactor at 110–130°C. Copper was found to be a catalvst for this oxidation. Experiments carried out in a copper reactor showed an improvement in-reaction rate as well as in yields. At 120°C about 11.0% wt of cumene hydroperoxide was formed in the liquid per hour in a yield of 05%. The kinetics of the reaction of cumene with oxygen have been studied. It is shown that the diffusion of oxygen in the hydrocarbon can influence the rate of reaction. The results indicated a reaction of zero order with respect to oxygen and first order with respect to cumene. The apparent activation energy of the non-catalytic oxidation of cumene was determined at 16 kcal/mole. For the continuous preparation of cumene hydroperoxide a tubular copper reactor has been developed. Evidence has been obtained that in the scaling up of such a reactor the dissipation of the heat of reaction will not be a major problem.