PURPOSE: To obtain purified 1-amino-2-phenoxy-4-hydroxyanthraquinone with a high yield by adjusting pH within a specified range after completion of the reaction for obtaining the compd., separating the product from the liq. phase and washing pref. with a soln. of alkali metal hypochlorite.

CONSTITUTION: 1-Amino-2-halogen-4-hydroxyanthraquinone is allowed to react with phenol in an aqueous suspension at pH 9-13 and at 130-160°C. After completion of the reaction, pH of the reaction mixture is adjusted to 9.5-11.5 and the reaction mixture is separated from the liq. phase to obtain a crude produce (that can be aftertreated) in a high yield. Then, the reaction mixture is washed with a soln. of an alkali metal hypochlorite (pref. contg. 1-4 wt.% of active chlorine), to obtain pure 1-amino-2-phenoxy-4-hydroxyanthraquinone. By combining the preparation method and the purification method, the pure compd. is obtained in an extremely high yield with an extremely high purity by means of an industrially simple method, which being advantageous.