Phenol is an important chemical commodity
utilized for several
applications (e.g., polycarbonate, epoxy–resins, phenolic resins,
nylon). Its conventional production starts from benzene and propylene
and is based on a series of reaction steps most of which are catalyzed
by acid catalysts. Besides this technology other ones have been considered
during the last decades, starting from other reactants and catalysts.
Looking at the catalyst types both already in use or under evaluation,
it is interesting to note that zeolites, as acidic catalysts or red-ox
catalysts, were widely investigated. Therefore, the production of
phenol represents a fascinating example of how zeolite catalysis contributes
to improving the sustainability of these chemical processes by displacing
the previous large use of corrosive and dangerous liquid acids and
improving overall selectivity, which reduces the side production of
wastes. Aromatic alkylation, transalkylation, and disproportionation,
oxidations, rearrangements, oligomerization, and cracking are the
reactions occurring in phenol production technologies, but also key
unit operations in refineries and the chemical industry. A review
of the zeolite catalysts utilized and proposed by major licensors
and research groups in these technologies is provided as well as a
discussion of key process differences and recent advances.