OXIDATION OF STYRENE WITH MOLECULAR-OXYGEN IN DIMETHYL PHTHALATE

The oxidation of styrene with molecular oxygen yields benzaldehyde and styrene oxide, two important intermediates for the preparation of perfumes and other products. The oxidation proceeds in the liquid phase in dimethylphthalate at 110-degrees-C in the absence of catalysts with air as oxygen source. In the case of 50% styrene conversion the total selectivity of benzaldehyde and styrene oxide amounts to 80-85% and the ratio of both target products is usualy 1:1. The influence of parameters, such as temperature, styrene concentration on the styrene conversion and the selectivity of reaction products, has been investigated.