Process for producing N,N-disubstituted aminophenol

摘要

PCT No. PCT/JP94/00424 Sec. 371 Date Nov. 15, 1994 Sec. 102(e) Date Nov. 15, 1994 PCT Filed Mar. 17, 1994 PCT Pub. No. WO94/21594 PCT Pub. Date Sep. 29, 1994.A process for producing N,N-disubstituted aminophenol which comprises the steps of: obtaining a reaction mixture containing N-substituted aminophenol by reacting a dihydric phenol and an amine; subjecting said reaction mixture to heat treatment so as to thermally decompose quaternary ammonia salt contained in said reaction mixture into a dihydric phenol and an amine, and removing at least said amine by distillation; separating high-boiling impurities by distillation to separate N-substituted aminophenol; and subjecting said separated N-substituted aminophenol to reduction alkylation using an aldehyde compound. According to the present invention, high-purity N,N-disubstituted aminophenol can be obtained in a high yield at high selectivity, and a reduction catalyst can be used repeatedly because its activity can be maintained at a high level and yet it can retain high activity for a long period of time.