Catalysts for production of phenol and its derivatives

Abstract

Zeolite catalysts useful for the production of phenol and its derivatives by oxidative hydroxylation of benzene and its derivatives by nitrous oxide, e.g. at temperatures of 225 DEG -450 DEG C., having substantially enhanced process characteristics resulting from hydrothermal treatment using a gas containing from about 3 to 100 mole percent water vapor, e.g. in nitrogen, at a temperature ranging from about 500 DEG to 1000 DEG C. Two hours of hydrothermal treatment has been shown to be effective.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for the catalytic production of phenol or derivative thereof comprising reacting benzene or derivative thereof with nitrous oxide in the presence of a zeolite catalyst wherein, prior to said reaction, the catalyst performance has been enhanced by hydrothermal treatment with a gas comprising 3 to 100 mole percent water at a temperature of 350° to 950° C. 
     
     
       2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said zeolite catalyst is a ZSM-5 or ZSM-11 zeolite catalyst. 
     
     
       3. A method according to claim 2 wherein said catalyst is an acidified, iron-containing aluminosilicate zeolite. 
     
     
       4. A method according to claim 3 wherein said gas comprises at least 10 mole percent water. 
     
     
       5. A method according to claim 4 wherein said gas is at a temperature of at least 500° C.