PURPOSE: To produce aminobenzyl alcohol in good yield and high purity by subjecting amino benzoate to cathodic reduction in a strongly acidic electrolyte.
CONSTITUTION: An aminobenzoic acid expressed by formula I (in the formula, R is 1-4C alkyl group), is subjected to the cathodic reduction in the strongly acidic electrolyte having less than about pH1 to produce the aminobenzyl alcohol expressed by formula II. The electrolysis is executed, for example, at 0-50°C and in an order of 1-30A/dm2 cathode current density. An electrolytic product is adjusted to alkaline with base, and a precipitated oligomer is removed by filtration, and a mother liquor is extracted with methyl-t-butyl ether, etc. After removing the extraction agent, ivory-white o-aminobenzyl alcohol is obtained in high purity. The aminobenzyl alcohol is an intermediate material for producing drugs, etc.
HERUMAN PIYUUTAA
KAARUUHAINTSU GUROTSUSE BURINK
