Noncatalytic Liquid Phase Air Oxidation of Ethylbenzene to 1‑Phenyl Ethyl Hydroperoxide in Low Oxygen Volume Fraction

The catalyst- and solvent-free liquid phase air oxidation reaction of ethylbenzene (EB) to 1-phenyl ethyl hydroperoxide (PEHP) was investigated at scheduled temperature and pressure with a separate deacidifying zone. The oxidation reaction was done in the titanium fabricated reactor at an oxygen volume fraction in the outlet gas less than 0.3%. The effects of several reaction parameters were studied in detail. In the optimal reaction conditions and instructions given in this work, the high selectivity to PEHP (above 95%) was achieved with EB conversion around 13%, and a clean feed (water and acid-free) was provided for the propene epoxidation reaction.