Abstract: A phenyl ester is produced by allowing benzene, a carboxylic acid and molecular oxygen to react with each other in the presence of a catalyst comprising (A) palladium, (B) at least one element selected from elements of groups 13, 14, 15, and 16 and the fourth to sixth periods of the periodic table, and (C) at least one element selected from elements of groups 3, 4 and lanthanoid elements of the periodic table. Preferably, element (B) is selected from elements of group 16 and the fourth to sixth periods of the periodic table, and element (C) is contained in a metal oxide form in the catalyst. The catalytic activity can be maintained at a high level, and a phenyl ester is stably produced. The phenyl ester can be converted to phenol by a conventional procedure.

Abstract: A phenyl ester is produced by allowing benzene, a carboxylic acid and molecular oxygen to react with each other in the presence of a catalyst comprising (A) palladium, (B) at least one element selected from elements of groups IIIb, IVb, Vb and VIb of the periodic table, and (C) at least one element selected from elements of groups IIIa and IVa of the periodic table. Preferably, element (B) is selected from elements of group VIb of the periodic table, and element (C) is contained in a metal oxide form in the catalyst. The catalytic activity can be maintained at a high level, and a phenyl ester is stably produced. The phenyl ester can be converted to phenol by a conventional procedure.

Abstract: A phenyl ester is produced by allowing benzene, a carboxylic acid and molecular oxygen to react with each other in the presence of a catalyst comprising (A) palladium, (B) at least one element selected from elements of groups 13, 14, 15, and 16 and the fourth to sixth periods of the periodic table, and (C) at least one element selected from elements of groups 3, 4 and lanthanoid elements of the periodic table. Preferably, element (B) is selected from elements of group 16 and the fourth to sixth periods of the periodic table, and element (C) is contained in a metal oxide form in the catalyst.

Abstract: A phenyl ester is produced by allowing benzene, a carboxylic acid and molecular oxygen to react with each other in the presence of a catalyst comprising (A) palladium, (B) at least one element selected from elements of groups IIIb, IVb, Vb and VIb of the periodic table, and (C) at least one element selected from elements of groups IIIa and IVa of the periodic table. Preferably, element (B) is selected from elements of group VIb of the periodic table, and element (C) is contained in a metal oxide form in the catalyst. The catalytic activity can be maintained at a high level, and a phenyl ester is stably produced. The phenyl ester can be converted to phenol by a conventional procedure.

Abstract: A phenyl ester is produced by allowing benzene, a carboxylic acid and molecular oxygen to react with each other in the presence of a catalyst comprising (A) palladium, (B) at least one element selected from elements of groups 13, 14, 15, and 16 and the fourth to sixth periods of the periodic table, and (C) at least one element selected from elements of groups 3, 4 and lanthanoid elements of the periodic table. Preferably, element (B) is selected from elements of group 16 and the fourth to sixth periods of the periodic table, and element (C) is contained in a metal oxide form in the catalyst. The phenyl ester can be converted to phenol by hydrolysis or ester exchange.

Abstract: Benzyl alcohol of high purity is produced by supplying benzyl acetate, water and acetic acid to a hydrolysis reactor packed with a solid acid catalyst. The liquid reaction mixture produced, which contains benzyl acetate, water, benzyl alcohol and acetic acid, is supplied to an acetic acid-water recovery column, Benzyl alcohol and benzyl acetate are recovered while acetic acid is removed and returned to the hydrolysis reactor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing benzyl acetate and benzyl alcohol.Benzyl acetate itself is useful as a solvent and a perfume. Benzyl alcohol which is derived from the benzyl acetate by hydrolysis or by transesterification with methanol is an important compound useful as a powerful solvent, a nontoxic medical additive, and an intermediate compound for agricultural chemicals and medicines.

Abstract: A lactone is prepared by catalytically hydrogenating a dicarboxylic acid having 3 to 10 carbon atoms or a functional derivative thereof in the presence of a catalyst comprising a metal selected from the elements of group VIII of the periodic table or a combination of said metal with an element selected from the elements of groups IVa, VIb and VIIb of the peridic table, and further in the co-presence of an alkali metal salt or an alkali metal hydroxide.