PREPARATION OF 3-HYDROXYMETHYL DIPHENYL ETHER

摘要

3-Hydroxymethyl-diphenyl ether is prepd. by (a) condensing phenol with m-cresol to form 3-methyldiphenyl ether (I), (b) oxidising (I) to 3-carboxydiphenyl ether (II), (c) esterifying (II) to the ester (III) and (d) reducing (III) to 3-hydroxymethyl-diphenyl ether (IV). By prods. are either directly useful, or can be converted into useful prods. (IV) is an intermediate in the synthesis of insecticides of the pyrethrum type by esterification with chrysanthemic acid.