METHOD OF PRODUCING ETHYLBENZENE HYDROPEROXIDE Russian patent published in 2017 - IPC C07C409/08 C07C407/00 

FIELD: chemistry.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to the production of ethylbenzene hydroperoxide (EBHP) in process of co-production of styrene and propylene oxide by the hydroperoxide method. More specifically, it relates to the first stage of this process, where EBHP is produced by liquid phase oxidation of ethylbenzene with molecular air oxygen. According to the invention, production of ethylbenzene hydroperoxide is carried out by liquid phase catalytic oxidation of ethylbenzene with air oxygen at elevated temperature in presence of catalyst and an initiating additive. As the catalyst and initiating additive, a condensed part of the exhaust air stream is used from the ethylbenzene oxidation stage treated with ammonium hydroxide or a stream formed by washing and neutralizing the reaction products from acidic impurities with ammonium hydroxide to a pH of 4-8. Excess unoxidized ethylbenzene is separated by vacuum rectification provided that air is added to the cube of the air column, diluted with nitrogen to 8-12 vol % of oxygen, and to the reinforcing part of distillation column - acute water vapour.

EFFECT: increasing the content of ethylbenzene hydroperoxide in the oxidant at high selectivity of its formation.

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