PURPOSE: To improve yield selectivity readily in obtaining the title compound useful as a raw material for liquid crystal polymer by oxidizing 4,4'- diisopropylbiphenyl and then thermally decomposing by carrying out the oxidation in the presence of a urea compound and surfactant.
CONSTITUTION: 4,4'-Diisopropylbiphenyl is oxidized with molecular oxygen in the presence of a urea compound and/or a derivative thereof and a surfactant. Preferably in order to shorten induction time of the reaction, a radical reaction initiator is used. The reaction is carried out at 60 150°C, preferably 80-130°C under normal pressure-10Kg/cm2G. Then the oxidation product is filtered, recovered and washed with an acid until the washed solution has pH3-7. Then the substance is dissolved in an organic solvent such as acetone and thermally decomposed with an acid derivative and hydrogen peroxide to give the objective compound. The reaction temperature is 30-120°C, preferably 50-100°C.
SUGAWARA TAKAHIRO
KANEKO KIMIKO
