Abstract
Oxidation of p-carboxybenzophenone (1) with peracetic acid in glacial acetic acid or acetic anhydride as a solvent gave a monophenyl acid terephalate (2) and it was discovered that simultaneous syntheses of terephthalic acid and phenol were possible from hydrolysis of (2). The kinds of peracids and solvents used for the oxidation, the amount and time of pouring of hydrogen peroxide, the concentration of sulfuric acid, and the temp. of reaction have been investigated and the best condition for the reaction was proceeded as follows : To 1 mole (1), 13.3 moles of glacial acetic acid and 500 cc conc sulfuric acid, as a catalyst are added, and then the solution at 40°c is treated dropwise with 1.03 moles of 30% hydrogen peroxide in 30 min, stirred for 6 hr at this temp. The product (2) is hydrolyzed as usual with aqueous sodium hydroxide solution and the separation of the products by suitable means yields 86.5% of terephthalic acid with purity 97.6% (Hasen no. 65) and 83, 8% of phenol
