| abstract |
A process for the preparation of phthalides of the formula I <IMAGE> (I) where R1, R2, R3 and R4 independently of one another, are hydrogen, C1- to C4-alkyl or C1- to C4-alkoxy, by reacting phthalic anhydrides of the formula II <IMAGE> (II) where R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined as above, on hydrogenation catalysts at from 50 DEG to 400 DEG C. and at from 1 to 400 bar, wherein the hydrogenation catalysts employed are essentially free from Lewis acids. |