Abstract: A secondary carbon atom in an alkane, including alkyl groups attached to aromatic rings, or cycloalkane is peroxidized by molecular oxygen to the corresponding hydroperoxide in the absence of a catalyst. The peroxidation is carried out in the presence of a tertiary hydroperoxide initiator which provides the free radicals needed to maintain the reaction. The amount of tertiary alcohol in the initiator is limited. The initial product of the peroxidation contains the secondary hydroperoxide as well as unreacted hydrocarbon, unreacted tertiary hydroperoxide and tertiary alcohol. The tertiary alcohol is removed as an azeotrope with part of the unreacted hydrocarbon which may be then separated from the alcohol and recycled. A second azeotropic distillation follows where the unreacted tertiary hydroperoxide is removed as an azeotrope with the rest of the unreacted hydrocarbon. This azeotrope is directly recycled to the peroxidation reaction.

Abstract: A process for reacting a fluid phase (gaseous and/or liquid phase) in contact with a solid phase in a reaction zone, wherein the improvement in said process comprises reacting the fluid phase in contact with the solid phase in a horizontally-oriented fluidized bed vessel. The vessel includes at least two compartments or stages, and includes means for vibrating the vessel. The process of the present invention enables one to effect fluidization of the solid phase independently of the flow rate or velocity of the fluid phase, thus enabling proper contact time of the fluid phase with the solid phase and minimizing the amount of fluid phase reactant to be recycled.

Abstract: A secondary carbon atom in an alkane, including alkyl groups attached to aromatic rings, or cycloalkane is oxidized by molecular oxygen to the corresponding hydroperoxide in the absence of a catalyst. The oxidation is carried out in the presence of a tertiary hydroperoxide initiator which provides the free radicals needed to maintain the reaction. The amount of tertiary alcohol in the initiator is limited.