METHOD OF PRODUCING SUBSTITUTED PHENOLS

摘要

Substituted phenols of formula (I) in which R1 is in an ortho or para position relative to the phenol function and denotes R2 denotes an acyclic radical optionally substituted by alkyl, hydroxy, alkoxycarbonyl, cyano or formyl, or a phenyl or naphthyl radical, and R denotes hydrogen or 1 to 4 substituents chosen from halogen, OH optionally in the form of ether or ester, alkyl, NO2, CHO optionally in the form of acetal, CH3CO-, C6H5CO-, NH2, alkylamino, dialkylamino or alkoxycarbonyl, it being understood that 2 symbols R may form with the phenyl nucleus a condensed aromatic ring, which comprises reacting a butadiene of formula (II) with a phenol for formula (III) in water in the presence of a rhodium-based catalyst, a water-soluble phosphine and optionally an inorganic or organic base. The products of formula (I) are intermediates for the synthesis of vitamin E, antioxidants, perfumes or insecticides.