Abstract: High quality hydroquinone is produced from p-diisopropylbenzene dihydroperoxide at a high yield according to the disclosed process. The p-diisopropylbenzene dihydroperoxide is decomposed in the presence of an acid catalyst and the concentration of the hydroperoxide is maintained in the range of 0.1 to 1% by weight; the remaining hydroperoxide in the decomposition step is further subjected to an acid decomposition prior to the recovery of the formed hydroquinone product.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of treating hydroperoxide mixtures, which comprises bringing an oily hydroperoxide mixture containing (A) an aromatic hydroperoxide having a hydroperoxymethyl group directly bonded to the aromatic nucleus and (B) an aromatic hydroperoxide having a 2-hydroperoxy-2-propyl group bonded directly to the aromatic nucleus into contact with an aqueous alkali solution, separating the aqueous phase from the oil phase and decomposing at least a part of the component (A) extracted in the aqueous phase.According to this method, the starting oily hydroperoxide mixture can be converted to a mixture in which the primary hydroperoxide content is reduced without substantial loss of the tertiary hydroperoxide. Therefore, aromatic hydroperoxide mixtures suitable for production of phenols can advantageously be proceeded.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of phenols which comprises reacting an .alpha.-hydroxyalkyl-substituted aromatic compound and/or an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated alkyl-substituted aromatic compound with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of an acid catalyst, in which hydrogen peroxide is diluted with a diluent, especially acetone, so that the volume is at least 10 times the original volume, and the diluted hydrogen peroxide is supplied in a divided manner to at least two portions of a reaction vessel or the diluted hydrogen peroxide is scattered by sprinkling into the reaction vessel. According to a preferred embodiment, the diluted hydrogen peroxide is continuously supplied to the gas phase in the reaction vessel from a scattering device which is similar to but separate from a scattering device for supplying the starting aromatic compound, particularly, a product formed by oxidizing an isopropyl aromatic compound with molecular oxygen.