Abstract: Substituted phenethanol ethers are prepared by the catalytic reduction of corresponding substituted phenylglyoxal acetals. The catalytic reduction is carried out by reacting a substituted phenylglyoxal acetal with hydrogen in the presence of an acid catalyst and a metal catalyst. Certain substituted phenylglyoxal acetals, and more particularly, 4-hydroxyphenylglyoxal dialkyl acetals are prepared by reacting 4-hydroxyacetophenone with a primary or a secondary alkyl alcohol in the presence of a hydrogen ion (H+) source and a nitrosonium ion (NO+) source.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 6, 1991
Date of Patent:
June 23, 1992
Assignee:
Hoechst Celanese Corporation
Inventors:
John R. Durrwachter, Michael Meier, Graham N. Mott, Werner H. Mueller