Manufacturing and new technology research of phenol

Manufacturing of phenol and relevant development were reviewed. Cumene process was the most prevalent for commercialized production of phenol, which was significantly improved in recent years. The toluene-benzoic acid process was a relatively mature simple process followed the cumene process due to extensive available toluene source, by which product structure could be easily adjusted according to the demand of market. The advance in novel technologies included direct hydroxylation of benzene to phenol using N₂O, H₂O₂ and O₂ as oxidants, and sec-butylbenzene process using zeolite as catalyst. The former was environmental-friendly and could sustain long term development but needed to put in further emphasis. The latter was more suitable to China's situation since it was possible to greatly consume the available byproduct of petrochemical industry, but also needed further development.