To obtain a new compound useful as an intermediate for producing a fluorescent whitening agent.
This compound is shown by formula I (R is H or a 1-4C alkyl; Y is H, a 1-4C alkyl, a 1-4C alkoxy, etc.) such as 4-vinyl-4'-α-hydroxyethyl- biphenyl. The compound of formula I is obtained, for example, by partially dehydrating a compound of formula II (Y is H, etc.) in a high-boiling solvent (e.g. a polyalkylene glycol such as polyethylene glycol) or by using a solvent (triethylene glycol dimethyl ether) not containing an acid at 180-220°C under normal pressure in the presence of an effective amount of a styrene monomer polymerization inhibitor (quinone, tert-butylpyrocatechol, etc.) (in the case of using the solvent not containing an acid, a small amount of an acidic compound such as p-toluenesulfonic acid exists) and the reaction is stopped immediately after detection of the optimum amount of the compound of formula II.
CASAGRANDE BRUNO
ELIU VICTOR
