Process for the preparation of ortho-hydroxybenzyl alcohols

摘要

This invention relates to a process for the selective preparation of ortho-hydroxybenzyl alcohols and, in particular, ortho-hydroxybenzyl alcohol. According to the invention, the reaction of a phenol with an aldehyde in an initially anhydrous medium and in the presence of a catalytic amount of a metal phenate, results in the selective production of ortho-hydroxybenzyl alcohols.