PURPOSE: To obtain the titled compound useful as an intermediate for herbicides, etc. easily in high selectivity, by reacting a hydroquinone with an α-chloro(or bromo)carboxylic acid in the presence of an alkali metallic hydroxide in a solvent.
CONSTITUTION: Hydroquinone or salt thereof is reacted with a compound expressed by the formula (X is Cl or Br, preferably Cl; R is H or lower alkyl), e.g. α-chloropropionic acid, in the presence of an alkali metallic hydroxide, particularly sodium hydroxide in a molar amount of 2 times or more, preferably 2.8 times or more of that of the compound expressed by the formula in one or more solvents selected from preferably methanol, ethanol, methyl cellosolve, ethyl cellosolve or water to give industrially and advantageously the aimed 2-(4-hydroxyphenoxy)alkanoic acid, particulary 2-(4-hydroxyphenoxy)propionic acid.
TSUCHIYA SHIYUUJI
TAKAKUWA YASUO
