Catalyst reactivation in process for production of resorcinols

Claim 1

IN THE PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF RESORCINOL BY CATALYTICALLY DECOMPOSING M-DIISOPROPYLBENZENE DIHYDROPEROXIDE IN A SOLVENT SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF LIQUID AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS, LIQUID CHLORINATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS AND MIXTURES THEREOF BY CONTACTING THE SOLUTION OF THE DIHYDROPEROXIDE WITH AN ACIDIC SURFACE ACTIVE CLAY CATALSYT UNDER SUBSTANTIALLY ANHYDROUS CONDITIONS TO FORM A DECOMPOSITION REACTION MIXTURE CONTAINING RESORCINOL IN SOLUTION AND RESINS ADSROBED ON THE CATALYST, AND THE CATALYST IS SEPARATED AND REUSED, THE IMPROVEMENT WHEREBY THE CATALYST IS REVIVIFIED PRIOR TO REUSE WHICH COMPRISES CONTACTING THE USED CATALYST WITH A LIQUID VOLATILE REACTIVATION SOLVENT CONSISTING OF A POLAROXYGENATED ORGANIC SOLVENT UNTIL SAID RESINS ADSROBED ON THE CATALYST ARE DISSOLVED, AND SEPARATING THE CATALYST THEREFROM IN ACTIVATED CONDITION FOR REUSE, SAID POLAR OXYGENATED ORGANIC SOLVENT BEING SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF LOWER ALIPHATIC ALCOHOLS, LOWER ALIPHATIC KETONES, ESTERS OF LOWER ALIPHATIC ALCOHOLS AND LOWER ALIPHATIC ACIDS, AND LOWER ALIPHATIC ETHERS.