Process for the hydroxyalkylation of a carbocyclic aromatic ether
US5811587A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 23, 1997 |
| Grant date | Sep 22, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 23, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC07C41/30
- WIPO fieldOrganic fine chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention concerns a process for the hydroxyalkylation of a carbocyclic aromatic ether. The invention preferably relates to the preparation of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol by the hydroxymethylation of guaiacol. It also concerns the oxidation of the hydroxyalkylated ethers obtained, in particular the oxidation of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol to 3-methoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, commonly known as "vanillin". The process for the hydroxyalkylation of a carbocyclic aromatic ether of the invention consists of reacting the aromatic ether with a carbonyl compound in the presence of a catalyst and is characterized in that the hydroxyalkylation reaction is carried out in the presence of an effective quantity of a zeolite.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.