Polyhydric phenols prodn. - by reacting orthochlorophenol with alkali hydroxides in the melt using copper catalysts

摘要

Polyhydric phenols are made by (a) reacting o-chlorophenol in the melt with alkali metal hydroxides at 200-360 degrees C in the presence of Cu, copper oxides or CuSO4 as catalyst under a protective gas atmosphere, (b) dissolving the prod. in water and neutralising with a mineral acid, and (c) recovering the phenol by extraction with an org. solvent. The process is especially useful for the prodn. of benzcatechol contg. only small amts. of resorcinol.