FremgangsmÕte for hydroksyalkylering av en karbocyklisk aromatisk eter

摘要

PCT No. PCT/FR96/00778 Sec. 371 Date Jan. 23, 1997 Sec. 102(e) Date Jan. 23, 1997 PCT Filed May 24, 1996 PCT Pub. No. WO96/37452 PCT Pub. Date Nov. 28, 1996The present invention concerns a process for the hydroxyalkylation of a carbocyclic aromatic ether. The invention preferably relates to the preparation of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol by the hydroxymethylation of guaiacol. It also concerns the oxidation of the hydroxyalkylated ethers obtained, in particular the oxidation of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol to 3-methoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, commonly known as "vanillin". The process for the hydroxyalkylation of a carbocyclic aromatic ether of the invention consists of reacting the aromatic ether with a carbonyl compound in the presence of a catalyst and is characterized in that the hydroxyalkylation reaction is carried out in the presence of an effective quantity of a zeolite.