Process for the synthesis of o-isopropoxyphenol

摘要

A process for preparing o-isopropoxyphenol (I) by means of the reaction: in which X is a halogen atom and in which the pyrocatechol (II) is reacted with the isopropyl halide (III) in the presence of an alkaline base in the solid state and of a solid-liquid phase transfer catalyst, in a reaction medium constituted by one or more organic solvents. The catalyst is constituted by a quaternary ammonium or phosphonium salt. The reaction is conducted in a nitrogen atmosphere, at atmospheric pressure, under agitation, at a temperature of preferably between 50 DEG C. and 130 DEG C.