A promoter can have utility in selective heterogeneous oxidation of
arylalkyl hydrocarbons such as, for example, cyclohexyl benzene and/or
sec-butyl benzene to form hydroperoxides. The promoter can include the
product of contacting a solid support comprising a metal oxide surface
and an iron compound. The solid support can include, for example,
titanium dioxide and/or an iron oxide such as magnetite and can have
magnetic susceptibility. A method for the oxidation of arylalkyl
hydrocarbons to form hydroperoxides can include contacting 16 an
arylalkyl hydrocarbon with oxygen in the presence of the promoter under
catalytic oxidation conditions to form arylalkyl hydroperoxide, which can
then be converted to phenol via cleavage 26. The method can include
recovery 22 of the promoter from the arylalkyl hydroperoxide and can
further include recycling the recovered promoter to the contacting 16.
Where the solid support has magnetic susceptibility, the recovery 22 can
include magnetic separation of the promoter.