To simply obtain the subject compound useful as an antioxidant by reacting raw materials until a tin catalyst forms an inactive derivative in the absence of an aqueous solvent.
This method for producing a compound of the formula [R is a 1-4C alkyl; (n) is 0-2; (m) is 1-4; A is a 1-18C alkyl, when (m) is 1, or A is a 2-12C alkylene or the like, when (m) is 2] (preferably, isooctyl 3,5- ditertiarybutyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamate) comprises subjecting (B) the corresponding lower alkyl ester to a transesterification reaction with (C) an alcohol of the formula: A-(OH)m in the presence of (A) a tin catalyst, preferably monobutyl tin tris(2-ethylhexoate), etc. Therein, the tin catalyst transesterification reaction product is reacted with (D) a carboxylic acid or its hydrate until the component A forms an insoluble derivative in the absence of an aqueous solvent, and the insoluble derivative is filtered off from the reaction product without using a filtration auxiliary.