Abstract: A process for reducing the salt content of fractions comprising high boilers obtained in the preparation of phenol from cumene, by extraction, is claimed. In the preparation of phenol from cumene, not only phenol and acetone but also by-products such as dimethyl phenyl carbinol or acetophenone are formed in the cleavage of cumene hydroperoxide. In the work-up of the cleavage product phase by distillation, these by-products are obtained as a fraction which boils only at high temperatures. These fractions further comprise alkali metal in the form of salts as a result of the neutralization by means of aqueous sodium hydroxide after the acid catalyzed cleavage. The presence of salt in this phase makes the work-up of this phase considerably more difficult. The salt is usually removed from the fraction by extraction of the fraction with water. However, considerable problems can occur if the aqueous phase cannot be cleanly separated from the organic phase.

Abstract: Impurities are removed from phenol by a process, comprising: first treating phenols containing impurities with at least one acid catalyst which converts the impurities into compounds which can be separated from phenol; separating the acid treated phenol from the compounds; and treating the distilled phenol a second time with at least one acid catalyst; thereby effectively removing the impurities from phenol.

Abstract: Phenol is removed from waste waters that occur in the manufacture of phenol by the cumene process wherein cumene is used as an extractant. The cumene which is used for extracting the phenol from the waste water and which is thereafter washed with sodium hydroxide to remove the phenol is treated prior to this washing with an aqueous solution of 1 to 20 wt-% preferably 5 to 10 wt-% sodium carbonate. If desired the aqueous solution can also contain sodium sulphate in amounts of 1 to 15% by weight. The sodium carbonate solution may also contain a non-ionogenic, surface-active substance such as aryl polyglycol ethers in amounts of from 0.001 to 1% by weight.