The effect of dehydration in the oxidation of ethylbenzene to acetophenonewith supported catalysts

Citation
St. Man et al., The effect of dehydration in the oxidation of ethylbenzene to acetophenonewith supported catalysts, ORG PROC R, 5(3), 2001, pp. 204-210
Citations number
16
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Organic Chemistry/Polymer Science
Journal title
ORGANIC PROCESS RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
ISSN journal
1083-6160 → ACNP
Volume
5
Issue
3
Year of publication
2001
Pages
204 - 210
Database
ISI
SICI code
1083-6160(200105/06)5:3<204:TEODIT>2.0.ZU;2-U
Abstract
The influence of the product water formed in the catalytic oxidation of eth ylbenzene to acetophenone using air in a batch reactor was studied. The wat er adsorbed in the hydrophilic catalyst supports, that is, alumina or silic a, has a significant negative effect on the oxidation processes. The applic ation of a dehydration unit in the catalytic oxidation of ethylbenzene with air in a batch reactor was studied using sulphuric acid, molecular sieves, and silica gel as dehydrants. Processes were developed to use the dehydrat ion unit to dehydrate the condensed product, from a Dean Stark trap, and th e reaction mixture. Experimental results confirmed that an improvement in r eaction performance was achieved using the dehydration unit to decrease the water concentration in the reaction mixture below its saturation solubilit y. The effect of a continuous increase in the temperature of the oxidation process, compared to isothermal operation, is shown to improve the oxidatio n performance.