Liquid-phase oxidation of isopropylbenzene in the presence of N-hydroxyphthalimide

N -Hydroxyphthalimide ( N -HPI) and its structural analogues are catalysts of the liquid-phase oxidation of alkylaromatic hydrocarbons. The use of these catalysts without modifying the existing isopropylbenzene-to-hydroperoxide oxidation technology enhances the phenol and acetone production rates. The appropriateness of these catalysts has been confirmed by quantum chemical calculations (PM3 method). The mechanism of the oxidation of isopropylbenzene, ethylbenzene, and cyclohexylbenzene to the corresponding hydroperoxides in the presence of N -HPI has been explained. The ratio of the rate constant of the substration of a hydrogen atom from the N -HPI molecule by the peroxy radical to the same rate constant for the hydrocarbon molecule has been determined.