Abstract: A process for the production of ethylphenol comprising the oxidation of diethylbenzene into diethylbenzene monohydroperoxide, withdrawing the reaction mixture, separating the unconverted diethylbenzene therefrom to obtain a hydroperoxide concentrate containing at least 40% of diethylbenzene monohydroperoxide, mixing said concentrate with a solvent selected from the group consisting of the lower molecular weight aliphatic alcohols and ketones, decomposing said hydroperoxide by intimate contact with a strong acid, hydrogenating the decomposition mixture and recovering ethylphenol from the hydrogenated mixture.

Abstract: A process for producing ethylphenol comprising reacting in liquid phase, diethylbenzene with a molecular oxygen containing gas, at a temperature between 100.degree. and 180.degree.C, until 5 to 30% of the diethylbenzene feed is converted into diethylbenzene hydroperoxide, withdrawing the reaction mixture, evaporating the unconverted diethylbenzene therefrom to obtain a concentrate containing at least 40% of diethylbenzene hydroperoxide, and recycling the unconverted diethylbenzene to the oxidation stage, mixing the diethylbenzene hydroperoxide concentrate with a solvent selected from the group consisting of low molecular weight aliphatic alcohols, ketones and mixtures thereof, decomposing said hydroperoxide by intimate contact with a strong acid which is used in an amount of between 0.