Andrew Eugene Witt

US Patent:

20190152911, May 23, 2019

Filed:

Apr 18, 2017

Appl. No.:

16/096161

Inventors:

- Baytown TX, US
Helge Jaensch - Grimbergen, BE
Andrew R. Witt - Huffman TX, US
Christopher L. Becker - Manhattan KS, US
Kirk C. Nadler - Houston TX, US
Kendele S. Galvan - Houston TX, US
Amy B. Batton - Baytown TX, US

International Classification:

C07D 209/48
B01J 31/02
B01J 37/04

Abstract:

Disclosed are novel processes for the production of cyclic imide compounds such as N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI). The processes may be particularly well-suited for commercial-scale production of cyclic imides such as NHPI. Such cyclic imide compounds are suitable for use as oxidation catalysts, and specifically may be used to oxidize cyclohexylbenzene to cyclohexyl-1-phenyl-1-hydroperoxide. Such an oxidation may be particularly useful in a process for the production of phenol and/or cyclohexanone from benzene via a process comprising hydroalkylation of benzene to cyclohexylbenzene, oxidation of the cyclohexylbenzene to cyclohexyl-1-phenyl-1-hydroperoxide, and cleavage of the cyclohexyl-1-phenyl-1-hydroperoxide to phenol and cyclohexanone. The cyclic imide production process may advantageously include water washing and reactant recovery steps to maximize purity and yield.