Abstract: The process for the production of hydroxy aromatic substances by means of catalytic oxidation of isoalkyl aromatic substance with oxygen, and decomposition of the hydroperoxide thus formed, is based on the concept that isoalkylaromatic substances are emulsified with an aqueous catalyst solution and brought to a temperature ranging from 50.degree. C. up to the boiling temperature of the emulsion; thereupon the oxygen is allowed to act for 2 to 20 hours and the hydroperoxide formed decomposed, in the presence of an inorganic acid as catalyst, into an hydroxyaromatic substance and a ketone.

Abstract: In a process for the catalytic oxidation of isoalkylaromatic hydrocarbons into ketones, alcohols and peroxides the isoalkyl- aromatic hydrocarbons in fluid phase at a temperature of 60 to 120.degree. C. are oxidized by oxygen in the presence of a catalyst of metal salt of different valency and alkylammonium salt or alkylphosphonium salt. Further there is claimed a catalyst for the oxidation of isoalkylaromatic hydrocarbons, containing a metal salt selected from copper salts, cobalt salts and manganese salts or their mixtures and an alkylammonium salt or alkylphosphonium salt in a ratio of metal salt to alkylammonium salt or alkylphosphonium salt of 0.5 to 50:1.