Triphase catalysis for recovery of phenol from an aqueous alkaline stream

Abstract

Use of a polymer-supported phase-transfer catalyst for the removal/recovery of phenol from an aqueous alkaline stream has been demonstrated. Phenol was extracted into the organic phase as phenyl benzoate via reaction with benzoyl chloride dissolved in toluene using two types of catalysts. Catalyst with a tributylphosphonium ion as the active centre was found to be more effective than Amberlite IRA 401(Cl) resin catalyst. The apparent reaction rates were found to obey pseudofirst-order kinetics under suitable conditions