PHENOL PRODUCTION

An improved process for the production of phenol in high yields with low tar formation comprising oxidizing benzoic acid with an oxide of copper or molybdenum in the presence of excess benzoic acid and substantially in the absence of water to form the corresponding metal dibenzoate, heating the said dibenzoate in the absence of oxygen and water to decarboxylate the same and form phenyl benzoate and hydrolzying the phenyl benzoate with water to form a benzoic acid and phenol mixture and recovering phenol from the said mixture, the improvement comprising performing the said steps separately.