Benzoic Acid Liquid Synthetic Phenol Catalytic Oxidation Process Optimization Studies

Phenol, as a essential chemical material, is widely utilized. Among its many synthetic methods, the means by toluene oxidation has gained superiority and potential for development. In this paper, the react of benzoic acid catalytically oxidized to phenol in the liquid phase in a 2L stainless steel reactor was studied, emphasis was put on the law of the reaction and the process optimization. The optimum process conditions were found by single factor experiments. A regression equation that expressed the relation between the phenol yield and some reaction conditions of the semi-continuous experiment under the experimental conditions was given by homogeneous experimental design. The maximum yield of the reaction was 82.7%. The product was characterized by melt point and IR spectra analysis. Also, purification of products and reuse of input material and catalyst were investigated. The results from the experiments suggest that the process has met the request of industrialization.