| abstract |
A process for producing a high quality di(aryloxy)alkane with a high yield by the use of readily commercially available materials, without using any particular solvent or agent and by means of a simple operation and a general apparatus is provided, which process comprises subjecting a halogenated alkane of the formula (II) X-A-Y (II) wherein X and Y each represent a halogen atom and A represents a lower alkylene group, and a phenol of the formula (III) <IMAGE> (III) wherein R1 to R5 each are same or different, represent hydrogen, halogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, carboxylic acid salt, acyl or nitro group, and may form a ring in conjunction of two adjacent groups, to condensation reaction in the presence of an alkali in an aqueous medium to form a di(aryloxy)alkane of the formula (I) <IMAGE> (I) and is characterized (i) by carrying out the condensation reaction in a molar ratio of the compound of the formula (II): the phenol of the formula (III): the alkali in terms of monovalent base of 1:1.5 to 3.0:1.5 to 3.0; or (ii) by carrying out the condensation reaction of the above (i) and adjusting the quantity of the aqueous medium phase after completion of the reaction can be 35% or less based on the oily phase; or (iii) by carrying out the condensation reaction of the above (i), feeding at least the alkali among the reaction components with progress of the reaction and adjusting the quantity of the aqueous medium phase as described in the above (ii). |