Process for the preparation of pure 2-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, pure 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol or a mixture of both hydroxy-benzyl alcohols

摘要

A process for the preparation of pure 2-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, pure 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol or a mixture of both hydroxybenzyl alcohols by reacting phenol and formaldehyde in the presence of a basic catalyst and subjecting the resulting reaction mixture to an at least 2-stage countercurrent extraction in a solvent system of water/organic solvent which is water-immiscible or water-miscible only to a limited extent.