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New Way of Hydroquinone and Catechol Synthesis using Nitrous Oxide as Oxidant
Author(s) -
Ivanov D. P.,
Sobolev V. I.,
Pirutko L. V.,
Panov G. I.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
advanced synthesis and catalysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.541
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1615-4169
pISSN - 1615-4150
DOI - 10.1002/1615-4169(200210)344:9<986::aid-adsc986>3.0.co;2-n
Subject(s) - hydroquinone , chemistry , catechol , phenol , benzene , selectivity , catalysis , resorcinol , zeolite , muconic acid , inorganic chemistry , organic chemistry , photochemistry
The synthesis of dihydroxybenzenes (DHB) via the gas‐phase oxidation of phenol with nitrous oxide in the presence of benzene was studied. Addition of benzene to the feed mixture greatly improves the selectivity and catalytic stability of the Fe‐containing ZSM‐5 zeolite, that was previously considered to be a main obstacle to the development of a new process. Reaction conditions strongly affect the distribution of the DHB isomers: the ratio of hydroquinone to catechol may vary from 1.4 to 10, with the resorcinol fraction being nearly constant and comprising 3–5%. Some 40 h experiments on the oxidation of a phenol‐benzene mixture demonstrated the high efficiency of the formed FeZSM‐5 catalyst. With a good stability, the catalyst provides 97% phenol selectivity referred to DHB and 85–90% N 2 O selectivity referred to the sum of DHBs and phenol. A new process for hydroquinone and catechol synthesis based on the neat oxidation of benzene with recycling of the phenol as an intermediate product is suggested.