PURPOSE: To obtain the titled high-purity compound useful as a precursor for vitamin E in high selectivity in high yield, by adding previously a small amount of a specific compound to an aqueous solution of a catalyst, reacting 2,3,6- trimethylphenol with O2 by a semi-batch method.
CONSTITUTION: 5W10C aliphatic alcohol, cupric hydroxide, cuprous hydroxide, or their mixture is previously added to an aqueous solution of a catalyst consisting of a copper halogen complex shown by the formula (M is alkali metal of I A in periodic table or ammonium; Cu(II) is bivalent copper; X is halogen; l is 1W3; m and p are 1 or 2; is 3W8; with the proviso that l+2mp=np) and an alkali metal halide compound in a solvent, 2,3,6-trimethylphenol is added to the solution, and reacted with O2 or an O2-containing gas having ≥20% O2 concentration by seme-batch method, to give the aimed compound.
EFFECT: An amount of a catalyst can be reduced, control of the reaction temperature and collection of the aimed compound are carried out easily, and the catalyst can be used in a circulating way.
YUI TOMOYUKI
ABE MITSUO
KINO MASAHIRO
