Preparation of sec-butylbenzene peroxide (SBBHP) by liquid-phase oxidation of sec-butylbenzene (SBB) in absence of catalyst is a key step in production of phenol and methyl ethyl ketone. Based on free radical chain reaction mechanism of hydrocarbon oxidation

SBB oxidation kinetic model was established under oxygen-enriched and oxygen-limited conditions

including reactant SBB

main product SBBHP

and side products acetophenone (ACP) and 2-phenyl butanol (PBO). Rate constants and activation energies of corresponding elementary steps were obtained by fitting experimental data at various conditions of 388-403 K. The results showed that

due to steric hindrance effect

activation energy of main reaction of SBB to SBBHP was larger than that of isopropyl benzene (IPB) to IPB hydroperoxide (IPBHP). Continuous process experiments further verified reliability of the kinetic model. These results may be useful for design and optimization of SBB liquid-phase oxidation to SBBHP

and helpful to understand oxidation mechanism of aromatic hydrocarbons.