PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF HYDROXY-SUBSTITUTED AROMATIC ALDEHYDES AND KETONES

摘要

A method of oxidising an alkylphenol of the formula (I) or (II) to a corresponding hydroxybenzaldehyde or hydroxyacetophenone, wherein: X is CH3 or CH2CH3; each of R1 to R4 is H, Cl, Br, C1-C10 alkyl, or C1-C10 alkoxy; R1 and R2 and R3 or R3 and R4 together may be -(CH2)n-; wherein n is 3 to 6, provided only one of R1 and R2, R2 and R3 or R3 and R4 is -(CH2)n-; includes the steps of producing a reaction medium of the alkylphenol in a solvent which comprises a dihydric alcohol and is acidic or alkaline and reacting the alkylphenol with oxygen in the presence of an oxidation catalyst. Examples of suitable dihydric alcohols are ethylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol and 1,4-butanediol.