Question

Explain the preparation of phenol from cumene.

Answer 1

Preparation of phenol from cumene $\to$

To prepare phenol, cumene is first oxidised in the presence of air to cumene hydroperoxide.

$\underset{\left(\text{Isoprophyl benzene}\right)}{\text{Cumene}}\stackrel{O_2}{\to }\text{Cumene hydroperoxide}$

Now, cumene hydroperoxide is treated with dilute acid to prepare phenol and acetone as by-products.

$\text{Cumene hydroperoxide}\underset{323-363K}{\overset{H^{+}}{\to }}\text{Phenol}+\text{Acetone}$

By this method, acetone is obtained in large quantities.