| abstract |
In a process for producing a biphenyl carboxylic acid, alcohol, and/or ester, benzene or toluene is reacted with a furanyl compound having the formula (I) where R1 is -H, -CH3, -CHO, -CH2OH, -COOH or -COOR2 and R2 is an alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms in the presence of a first catalyst under conditions effective to produce a 2-R1, 5 -phenyl-substituted furan compound. The latter is then reacted with a dienophile under cycloaddition reaction conditions and in the presence of a second catalyst to produce a bicyclic ether and the bicyclic ether is dehydrated to a biphenyl compound. |