Abstract: In a continuous process for the production of phenol by the oxychlorination of benzene to form chlorination product comprising monochlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene and benzene in a first stage, and the hydrolysis in a second stage with steam of material comprising monochlorobenzene to form hydrolysis product comprising phenol, monochlorobenzene and HCl, the method of separating and recovering phenol therefrom which comprises (1) mixing hydrolysis product comprising phenol and monochlorobenzene with chlorination product comprising monochlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene and benzene, to form liquid organic mixed product, and (2) passing said liquid organic mixed product through a distillation train, in which a benzene fraction, a fraction comprising monochlorobenzene and dichlorobenzene, and a fraction consisting essentially of phenol, ar separated therefrom. The fraction comprising monochlorobenzene and dichlorobenzene is fed to the hydrolysis stage condensation column as quenching material.