PURPOSE: To obtain the titled compound in high yield, by carrying out dehydrative esterification reaction of acrylic acid, etc., with phenols, etc., in the presence of an acid catalyst, distilling the reaction mixture without neutralization, removing the fraction such as unreacted substance, etc., neutralizing the residual liquid with an alkaline aqueous solution and distilling the neutralized product.

CONSTITUTION: (Meth)acrylic acid and phenols are subjected to dehydrative esterification reaction in the presence of an acid catalyst such as sulfuric acid and B(OH)3, the reaction liquid is distilled without neutralization to remove the fraction composed mainly of the solvent and the unreacted substance and the residual reaction liquid or a fraction composed mainly of phenyl (meth) acrylate, etc., obtained by the distillation of the residual reaction liquid is neutralized with an alkaline aqueous solution. The neutralized product is again distilled and purified to obtain the objective compound. the solvent and the unreacted substance can be almost completely recovered and reused and the volume of waste water generated in the washing with alkaline aqueous solution can be remarkably decreased.