he Phenol Formation by Decomposition of 1-Methyl-1-phenylethyl Hydroperoxide with the Molybdenum Oxide Prepared by a New Method

Abstract

The yellow powdery preparation (refered to as Mo-y), made of molybdenum powder and hydrogen peroxide, exhibits the Lewis acid chracter, and acts as a catalyst for "Cumene-process". The decomposition rate of 1-methyl-l-phenylethyl hydroperoxide (common name: cumene hydroperoxide, CHP) increases with the content of Mo-y, but there is an optimum content of Mo-y for the formation of phenol from CHP. The decomposition reaction of CHP proceeds stoichiometrically, when 1 drns solution of 3.97 g of Mo-y and 1 mol of CHP in cumene is heated at 60°C. The activation energy is estimated as 21.4 kcal/mol in the low temperature region (at 40-60°C) and as 3.6 kcal/mol in the high temperature region (at 70-80°C). When CHP is contaminated with water or 2-phenyl-2-propanol (from 1.6 to 8.5% (mol)), the drop in reactivity of Mo-y for the formation of phenol is observed. The high reactivity of Mo-y with the hydroxy compounds appears to be responsible for the retardation.2-Pheny1-2- propanol is dehydrated to a-methyl styrene by Mo-y.