| abstract |
A novel process for producing alkenyl phenols, which comprises continuously feeding a dihydroxydiphenyl alkane such as 2,2-(4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl)propane, 2,2-(4,4'-dihydroxy-3,3'-dimethyldiphenyl)propane, 2,2-(4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl)butane, 2,2-(4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl)-4-methylpentane, 1,1,1-(4,4'-dihydroxytriphenyl)ethane and 1,1-(4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl)cyclohexane into a high-boiling inert organic reaction medium such as an alkylnaphthalene containing a basic catalyst and heated at 150 DEG to 250 DEG C. under 10 to 100 mmHg while maintaining the concentration of the dihydroxydiphenyl alkane in the reaction medium at not more than 30% by weight, thereby cleaving it in the reaction medium; and continuously distilling off the cleavage product out of the reaction system and recovering it. This process can afford the corresponding highly pure alkenyl phenol as a monomer and/or its polymer almost quantitatively. |