PROCESS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF HYDROQUINONE DIMETHYL ETHERS

摘要

Hydroquinone dimethyl ethers of the formula I, wherein R is H, an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or halogen ARE PREPARED BY CATALYTICAL HYDROGENATION OF BENZOQUINONE TETRAMETHYL DIKETALS OF THE FORMULA II, wherein R has the same meaning as in formula I at a temperature from about 0 DEG to +150 DEG C. As the starting compounds II may be obtained by anodic oxidation of benzene and the corresponding benzene derivatives in methanol hydroquinone dimethyl ethers I used, for example for the manufacture of dyestuffs, may be obtained in simple manner by using benzene or the corresponding benzene derivative as starting products.