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

US4192959A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Haarmann & Reimer Corporation · DE

Inventors

• Kurt Bauer
• Alfred Krempel · Holzminden, DE
• Reiner Molleken
• Karlfried Wedemeyer · Cologne, DE
• Helmut Fiege · Leverkusen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 14, 1978
• Grant date: Mar 11, 1980
• Expiry date: Jun 14, 1998

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C37/20
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

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.