PREPARATION OF 4-BIPHENYL-P-TOLYL ETHER

摘要

PURPOSE:To prepare the subject substance useful as a sensitizer for heat- sensitive recording materials in a high yield by reacting p-phenyl phenol with a toluene compound in the presence of a copper catalyst and a reaction- accelerator. CONSTITUTION:p-Phenylphenol (A) is reacted with a compound of formula I in the presence of a copper catalyst (e.g. copper oxide or copper acetylacetonate) in an amount of 0.1-3.0wt.% based on the compound A and in the presence of a sulfolane in an amount of 0.5-30wt.% based on the compound A at 140-200 deg.C for 5-20 hours to prepare a compound of formula II. The compound A can be used in the form of an alkali metal salt, and in the case the compound A is reacted with an alkali metal compound and subsequently condensed with the compound of formula I in the same reactor.