PRODUCTION OF 3-ISOCHROMANONES

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To produce 3-isochromanones useful as a raw material for germicides for agricultural uses in high yield and selectivity in a short time at a low cost by reacting an o-xylene dichloride with carbon monoxide and water in the presence of a specific catalyst and a specified base in an organic solvent under pressure. SOLUTION: (C) A compound of formula I [R is H, a halogen or a 1-6C alkyl(oxy)] is reacted with (D) (D1 ) carbon monoxide and (D2 ) water in the presence of (A) a palladium catalyst and (B) an inorganic base such as an alkaline earth metallic inorganic base (e.g. calcium hydroxide) in (E) an organic solvent such as a 3-10C secondary or tertiary alcohol under pressure and the resultant compound is then treated with an acid to afford a compound of formula II.