Cyclohexylbenzene
Cyclohexylbenzene is the organic compound with the formula C6H5-C6H11. It is a derivative of benzene with a cyclohexyl substituent. A colorless liquid, it is produced by the alkylation of benzene with cyclohexene. It is generated by the hydrodesulfurization of dibenzothiophene.
A route to phenol analogous to the cumene process begins with cyclohexylbenzene, which is oxidized to a hydroperoxide, akin to the production of cumene hydroperoxide. Via the Hock rearrangement, cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide cleaves to give phenol and cyclohexanone. Cyclohexanone is an important precursor to some nylons.
