PURPOSE: To obtain the titled compound useful as a raw material for polymers such as polycarbonate, by reacting o-phenylphenol with a ketone using sulfuric acid having a specific concentration as a condensation agent in combination with a specific cocatalyst.

CONSTITUTION: The objective 1,1-bis(3-phenyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) methane deriva tive of formula II having high purity can be produced by reacting o-phenylphenol with a ketone of formula I (R1 and R2 are 1W5C alkyl, aryl, benzyl, phenoxyphenyl, alkoxyphenyl, etc.), e.g. acetophenone, acetone, 4'-phenoxy- acetophenone, etc., using sulfuric acid having a concentration of ≥80wt% as a binder and a mercapto-containing compound such as mercapto-acetic acid as a cocatalyst at 20W150°C for 5W200hr under normal pressure. The compound is useful as a raw material for polymers such as aromatic polyester, polysulfone, epoxy resin, etc.