Method of purifying phenol

Abstract

A method of purifying a phenol stream that contains a concentration of a contaminating compound is provided. The phenol stream is treated or purified by contacting the stream, under suitable process conditions, with a treatment catalyst that has a low silica content but comprises alumina and a Group VIA metal.

1 - 27 . (canceled)  
   
   
       28 . A reactor system for purifying a phenol stream said reactor system comprises: 
 a reactor having an inlet and an outlet and which defines a reaction zone containing phenol and a low silica-containing catalyst comprising alumina and a Group VIA metal.    
   
   
       29 . A phenol composition made by a method comprising purifying a phenol product, comprising phenol and a contaminating concentration of an hydroxyketone, by contacting under suitable contacting conditions, said phenol product with a treatment catalyst consisting essentially of alumina and a Group VIA metal.  
   
   
       30 . A high purity phenol composition, comprising: 
 at least 95 weight percent phenol and less than 5 ppmw benzofuran.    
   
   
       31 . A high purity phenol composition of  claim 30  which has been treated with a treatment catalyst.  
   
   
       32 . A high purity phenol composition of  claim 31  wherein said treatment catalyst has a low silica content and comprises alumina and a Group VIA metal.  
   
   
       33 . A high purity phenol composition, comprising: 
 phenol and    benzofuran    wherein said phenol is present in said high purity phenol composition in an amount of at least 98 weight percent of the total weight of said high purity phenol composition, and wherein said benzofuran is present in said high purity phenol composition in an amount of less than 2 ppmw.    
   
   
       34 . The high purity phenol composition of  claim 33  where said phenol is present in an amount of at least 99 weight percent and said benzofuran is present in an amount of less than 1 ppmw.  
   
   
       35 . The high purity phenol composition of  claim 34  which has been treated with a treatment catalyst having a low silica content and comprising alumina and a Group VIA metal.