In the absence of catalyst

70% hydrogen peroxide was used to oxidize succinic anhydride to solid monoperoxysuccinic acid (PSA). Then PSA was applied to synthesis of ε-caprolactone (ε-CL) by oxidation of cyclohexanone in the heterogeneous system. In order to achieve material recycle

solid precipitated in the process of synthesizing ε-CL was dehydrated via reactive distillation followed by recrystallization to prepare succinic anhydride

which was characterized by IR (infrared spectra) and

1

HNMR (

1

H nuclear magnetic resonance). Effects of molar ratio of PSA to cyclohexanone

acetic acid dosage

reaction temperature

reaction time on conversion of cyclohexanone

yield and selectivity of ε-CL were investigated respectively. The results indicated that conversion of cyclohexanone

yield and selectivity of ε-CL were upto 98.1%

97.5% and 99.4% respectively under the optimal conditions. In addition

in the process of synthesizing succinic anhydride

the optimal yield of succinic anhydride reached 67.4%.