PROCESS FOR PRODUCING DIHYDROXY BENZENES

摘要

The nuclear hydroxylation of phenols and phenol derivatives is carried out with solutions of hydrogen peroxide, which are extremely low in water, in solvents forming at the most azeotropes with water whose boiling points are close to or above the boiling point of hydrogen peroxide. The catalyst used is one having the formula XO2, wherein X represents sulphur, selenium or tellurium. Apart from the increase in yield and the fact that technically the nuclear hydxoxylation can be carried out in a much simpler way, the ortho-para ratio and the ortho-ortho ratio of the products are controlled when using selenium dioxide.