PURPOSE: To obtain the titled substance useful as an intermediate for synthesizing vitamin E in high yield by a reactor with small volume by using a catalyst repeatedly, by using a copper halogeno complex as the catalyst, by bringing raw material 2,3,6-trimethylphenol into contact with oxygen in water and an organic medium.
CONSTITUTION: In the presence of a copper halogeno complex as a catalyst, raw material 2,3,6-trimethylphenol is brought into contact with oxygen in both water and an organic solvent (especially preferably, dialkyl ether of glycol, more preferably alcohol) at 10W120°C, preferably 50W80°C at 0.05W50kg/cm2, preferably 0.2W10kg/cm2, to give the desired compound. A complex salt shown by the formula Me[CumXn]p (M= alkali metal alkaline earth metal of I A, or IIA, etc.; X is halogen; e is 1W3; m is 1W2; n=3W8; p=1, or 2) may be used as the copper halogeno complex of the catalyst.
YUI TOMOYUKI
UNO HIDEO
ABE MITSUO
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