Oxidation of cumene hydroperoxide in the presence of platinum

The effect of 1-15 g of 0.25 mm platinum wire on the cumene hydroperoxide-initiated air-oxidation of cumene to cumene hydroperoxide (an intermediate in phenol production) was studied at 110/sup 0/-120/sup 0/C, 2-5% initiator concentration, and 60-360 min residence time. The results showed that platinum has a catalytic effect in the reaction, that this effect increases with increasing temperature and increasing residence time, and that this effect decreases the influence of the initiator on the conversion rate.