Process for preparing benzylalcohols

摘要

There is described an essentially two step process for the preparation of benzylalcohols including those benzylalcohols having substituents on the benzyene ring by reaction of a substituted or unsubstituted benzyl halide with a formate typically an alkali or alkaline earth metal formate to form the corresponding substituted or unsubstituted benzyl formate. In the second step of the process the benzyl formate is contacted with an alcohol whereby the same is converted into the desired benzylalcohol. Both steps can be performed employing catalysts. Described in the specification is the realization of the desired product in exceptionally high yields in a short period of time whereby the process is characterized by high space-time yields.