METHOD OF REDUCING CONTENT OF METHYLBENZOFURAN IMPURITIES IN PHENOL Russian patent published in 1999 - IPC

FIELD: chemical industry. SUBSTANCE: phenol is obtained by decomposition coumol hydroperoxide. Phenol is first treated with amine to reduce acetol- concentration, phenol with low acetol content is made to contact with acid polymer, e. g. sulfocationite in acid form or with solid peroxidized catalyst at 70-120 C and contact time sufficient to reduce content of methylbenzofuran due to transformation into compounds having higher boiling point. Phenol is separated by distillation from compounds having higher boiling point. Treatment with amine reduces acetol concentration to volume of not greater than 200 ppm, and residual content of methylbenzofuran is as high as 10 ppm. EFFECT: more efficient title method. 9 cl, 3 tbl