Processes are described for separating 3,4′- and 4,4′-dimethylbiphenyl from a mixture comprising at least 3,3′-, 3,4′- and 4,4′-dimethylbiphenyl. In the processes, the mixture is cooled to produce a crystallization product comprising at least of the 4,4′-dimethylbiphenyl from the feed mixture and a first mother liquor product. The first mother liquor product is distilled to produce a bottoms stream enriched in 4,4′-dimethylbiphenyl as compared with the first mother liquor product and an overhead stream deficient in 4,4′-dimethylbiphenyl as compared with the first mother liquor product. The overhead stream is then cooled to produce a second crystallization product comprising at least part of the 3,4′-dimethylbiphenyl from the overhead stream and a second mother liquor product.

Processes are described for separating 3,4′- and 4,4′-dimethylbiphenyl from a mixture comprising at least 3,3′-, 3,4′- and 4,4′-dimethylbiphenyl. In the processes, the mixture is cooled to produce a crystallization product comprising at least of the 4,4′-dimethylbiphenyl from the feed mixture and a first mother liquor product. The first mother liquor product is distilled to produce a bottoms stream enriched in 4,4′-dimethylbiphenyl as compared with the first mother liquor product and an overhead stream deficient in 4,4′-dimethylbiphenyl as compared with the first mother liquor product. The overhead stream is then cooled to produce a second crystallization product comprising at least part of the 3,4′-dimethylbiphenyl from the overhead stream and a second mother liquor product.

Disclosed is a hydroalkylation process in which the hydroalkylation catalyst is activated in the presence of a flowing fluid comprising hydrogen and a condensable agent. The presence of the condensable agent enables fast, effective activation of the hydroalkylation catalyst precursor in a cost-effective manner. It also yields superior catalyst performance.

Disclosed is a hydroalkylation process in which the hydroalkylation catalyst is activated in the presence of a flowing fluid comprising hydrogen and a condensable agent. The presence of the condensable agent enables fast, effective activation of the hydroalkylation catalyst precursor in a cost-effective manner. It also yields superior catalyst performance.

In a process for dehydrogenating cyclohexylbenzene and/or alkyl-substituted cyclohexylbenzene compounds, a dehydrogenation catalyst comprising at least one Group 10 metal compound on a support is heated in the presence of hydrogen from a first temperature from 0° C. to 200° C. to a second, higher temperature from 60° C. to 500° C. at a ramp rate no more than 100° C./hour. The dehydrogenation catalyst is contacted with hydrogen at the second temperature for a time from 3 to 300 hours to produce an activated dehydrogenation catalyst. A feed comprising cyclohexylbenzene and/or an alkyl-substituted cyclohexylbenzene compound is then contacted with hydrogen in the presence of the activated dehydrogenation catalyst under conditions effective to produce a dehydrogenation reaction product comprising biphenyl and/or an alkyl-substituted biphenyl compound.

In a process for dehydrogenating cyclohexylbenzene and/or alkyl-substituted cyclohexylbenzene compounds, a dehydrogenation catalyst comprising at least one Group 10 metal compound on a support is heated in the presence of hydrogen from a first temperature from 0° C. to 200° C. to a second, higher temperature from 60° C. to 500° C. at a ramp rate no more than 100° C./hour. The dehydrogenation catalyst is contacted with hydrogen at the second temperature for a time from 3 to 300 hours to produce an activated dehydrogenation catalyst. A feed comprising cyclohexylbenzene and/or an alkyl-substituted cyclohexylbenzene compound is then contacted with hydrogen in the presence of the activated dehydrogenation catalyst under conditions effective to produce a dehydrogenation reaction product comprising biphenyl and/or an alkyl-substituted biphenyl compound.

In a process for producing a methyl-substituted biphenyl compound, at least one methyl-substituted cyclohexylbenzene compound of the formula: ##STR00001##
wherein each of m and n is independently 1, 2, or 3, is contacted with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to produce a hydrogenation reaction product comprising at least one methyl-substituted bicyclohexane compound, and the methyl-substituted bicyclohexane compound is then contacted with a dehydrogenation catalyst to produce a dehydrogenation reaction product comprising at least one methyl-substituted biphenyl compound.

In a process for producing a methyl-substituted biphenyl compound, at least one methyl-substituted cyclohexylbenzene compound of the formula: ##STR00001##
wherein each of m and n is independently 1, 2, or 3, is contacted with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to produce a hydrogenation reaction product comprising at least one methyl-substituted bicyclohexane compound, and the methyl-substituted bicyclohexane compound is then contacted with a dehydrogenation catalyst to produce a dehydrogenation reaction product comprising at least one methyl-substituted biphenyl compound.

In a process for producing a methyl-substituted biphenyl compound, at least one methyl-substituted cyclohexylbenzene compound of the formula: ##STR00001##
wherein each of m and n is independently 1, 2, or 3, is contacted with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to produce a hydrogenation reaction product comprising at least one methyl-substituted bicyclohexane compound, and the methyl-substituted bicyclohexane compound is then contacted with a dehydrogenation catalyst to produce a dehydrogenation reaction product comprising at least one methyl-substituted biphenyl compound.

The present invention describes novel Cashew Nut Shell Liquid derived cycloaliphatic functional compounds and methods for making the same. The invention also provide methods to use these derivatives in antimicrobials, antioxidants, adhesives, coatings, corrosion retardants composites, cosmetics, detergents, soaps, de-icing products, elastomers, food, flavors, inks, lubricants, oil field chemicals, tackifiers, prepolymer chain-extenders, rheology modifiers, electrical and electronic components (potting, castings, encapsulants), personal care products, polymers, structural polymers, engineered plastics, 3D printable polymers, 3D printable polymers, UV/E-beam/cationic curable polymers, techno-polymers, rubbers, sealants, solvents, surfactants and varnishes, transformer oil, lubricants.