PURPOSE: To obtain mixed dihydric phenols consisting of pyrocathecol and hydroquinones with high selectivity, by direct oxidation of phenols with a peroxide in the presence of an amino acid.
CONSTITUTION: Phenols, e.g. phenol, cresol, etc. are oxidized with at least one type of peroxide selected from organic peracids, e.g. peracetic acid, etc., a hydrogen peroxide, and an organic hydroperoxide in the presence of an α-amino acid having at least one type of functional group selected from OH, mercapto, amino, amido. and p-hydroxybenzyl groups at the β-or farther position, e.g. -aminocaproic or γ-aminobutyric acid, or an amino acid having two or more carbon atoms between the amino group and the carboxyl group at 0.W100°C to give dihydric phenols. The amount of the amino acid is preferably 10-5W10-1 mole per mole of phenols
YOKOYAMA KEIICHI
SHIMIZU SHIGEJI
