Disclosed are processes for abating 3-cyclohexenone from a feed mixture comprising cyclohexylbenzene, cyclohexanone, phenol, and 3-cyclohexenone and cyclohexanone, comprising feeding the feed mixture to a first distillation column and a hydrogenating a fraction from in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst under hydrogenation conditions. Hydrogenation can be carried out in a hydrogenation reactor separate from the first distillation column or in a hydrogenation zone disposed inside the first distillation column.

A method for the manufacture of a sulfonated phenol for use as a cumene hydroperoxide decomposition catalyst can comprise: combining phenol and a sulfonating agent at a first temperature that is 1 C. to 15 C. higher than a melting temperature of the phenol, to form a reaction mixture at the first temperature; reducing the first temperature of the reaction mixture to a second temperature that is 10 to 40 C. lower than the first temperature; and forming the sulfonated phenol at the second temperature.

A method for the manufacture of a sulfonated phenol for use as a cumene hydroperoxide decomposition catalyst can comprise: combining phenol and a sulfonating agent at a first temperature that is 1 C. to 15 C. higher than a melting temperature of the phenol, to form a reaction mixture at the first temperature; reducing the first temperature of the reaction mixture to a second temperature that is 10 to 40 C. lower than the first temperature; and forming the sulfonated phenol at the second temperature.

A method for the manufacture of a sulfonated phenol for use as a cumene hydroperoxide decomposition catalyst can comprise: combining phenol and a sulfonating agent at a first temperature that is 1 C. to 15 C. higher than a melting temperature of the phenol, to form a reaction mixture at the first temperature; reducing the first temperature of the reaction mixture to a second temperature that is 10 to 40 C. lower than the first temperature; and forming the sulfonated phenol at the second temperature.

Aromatic compositions useful in various applications, such as aromatic fluid solvents and high temperature heat transfer fluids, are provided herein. Also provided are advantageous methods for obtaining the aromatic compositions, utilizing hydroalkylation of precursor aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, xylene, and the like. Particularly preferred aromatic compositions include one or more of cycloalkylaromatic, dicycloalkylaromatic, biphenyl, terphenyl, and diphenyl oxide compounds. The aromatic compositions may be blended with an aromatic solvent or other aromatic fluid comprising one or more of alkylnaphthalenes, alkylbenzenes, and naphthalene, e.g., to form a useful aromatic fluid solvent, or the aromatic compositions may be utilized as high temperature heat transfer fluids (with or without additional blend components).

Aromatic compositions useful in various applications, such as aromatic fluid solvents and high temperature heat transfer fluids, are provided herein. Also provided are advantageous methods for obtaining the aromatic compositions, utilizing hydroalkylation of precursor aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, xylene, and the like. Particularly preferred aromatic compositions include one or more of cycloalkylaromatic, dicycloalkylaromatic, biphenyl, terphenyl, and diphenyl oxide compounds. The aromatic compositions may be blended with an aromatic solvent or other aromatic fluid comprising one or more of alkylnaphthalenes, alkylbenzenes, and naphthalene, e.g., to form a useful aromatic fluid solvent, or the aromatic compositions may be utilized as high temperature heat transfer fluids (with or without additional blend components).

Aromatic compositions useful in various applications, such as aromatic fluid solvents and high temperature heat transfer fluids, are provided herein. Also provided are advantageous methods for obtaining the aromatic compositions, utilizing hydroalkylation of precursor aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, xylene, and the like. Particularly preferred aromatic compositions include one or more of cycloalkylaromatic, dicycloalkylaromatic, biphenyl, terphenyl, and diphenyl oxide compounds. The aromatic compositions may be blended with an aromatic solvent or other aromatic fluid comprising one or more of alkylnaphthalenes, alkylbenzenes, and naphthalene, e.g., to form a useful aromatic fluid solvent, or the aromatic compositions may be utilized as high temperature heat transfer fluids (with or without additional blend components).

Disclosed are processes for abating 3-cyclohexenone from a feed mixture comprising cyclohexylbenzene, cyclohexanone, phenol, and 3-cylclohexenone and cyclohexanone, comprising feeding the feed mixture to a first distillation column and a hydrogenating a fraction from in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst under hydrogenation conditions. Hydrogenation can be carried out in a hydrogenation reactor separate from the first distillation column or in a hydrogenation zone disposed inside the first distillation column.

Disclosed are processes for abating 3-cyclohexenone from a feed mixture comprising cyclohexylbenzene, cyclohexanone, phenol, and 3-cylclohexenone and cyclohexanone, comprising feeding the feed mixture to a first distillation column and a hydrogenating a fraction from in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst under hydrogenation conditions. Hydrogenation can be carried out in a hydrogenation reactor separate from the first distillation column or in a hydrogenation zone disposed inside the first distillation column.

Disclosed are a process for abating 3-cyclohexenone from a feed mixture comprising 3-cylclohexenone and cyclohexanone, comprising a hydrogenation step of contacting the feed mixture with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst under hydrogenation conditions to obtain a hydrogenated mixture, cyclohexanone-containing products comprising 3-cyclohexenone and/or 2-cyclohexenone at low concentrations, and compositions of matter useful for making such cyclohexanone-containing products, particularly by using such processes.