PROCESS FOR PREPARING 1,1-BIS (2,3-DIHYDROXYBENZENE) ALKYL OR ARYL METHANE

摘要

A process for the preparation of new 1,1-bis(2,3-dihydroxybenzene)alkyl- or aryl-methanes of formula: < IMG > wherein: R is straight lined or branched alkyl radical containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or an aryl radical; R1, R2 and R3 are equal to, or different from each other and each represent hydrogen, halogen, a straight lined or branched alkyl radical, containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, aryl, alkaryl, -OH, -OR4 and -N(R4)2, R4 being a straight lined or branched alkyl radical containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. These new compounds which are useful as antioxidants or as intermediates for the preparation of dihydrobenzofurans, are obtained by reacting a biphenol of formula: < IMG > with an aldehyde of formula R-CHO wherein R, R1, R2 and R3 have the same meanings as above, in the presence of a catalytic amount of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of oxides, hydroxides, alcoholates and carboxylates of the metals belonging to the IA, IIA, IIB and VIIB of the Periodic System of the Elements, optionally in the presence of a liquid, inert solvent.