Remarks on studies for direct production of phenol in conventional and membrane reactors

The great interest in the oxidation reaction of benzene to phenol is linked to some disadvantages of the cumene process, Such as environmental impact, production of an explosive intermediate, a multi-step process (which involves (1) difficulty to achieve high phenol yield, in relation to the benzene used and (2) high capital investment), and a high acetone production as a co-product which results in an over supply in the market.