Method of producing p-Hydroxyphenylalkanols

A method for producing a p-hydroxyphenylalkanol of formula (I):

• 7 wherein R1 and R2 independently represent a hydrogen atom, an C1-8 alkyl group, an C1-8 alkoxy group, a C5-8 cycloalkyl group, an C6-12 alkylcycloalkyl group, an C7-12 aralkyl group which may be substituted with an C1-8 alkyl group, a phenyl group which may be substituted with a C1-8 alkyl group, a phenoxy group which may be substituted with a C1-8 alkyl group, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 independently represent a hydrogen atom or an C1-8 alkyl group, and n denotes an integer from 0 to 7, which method comprises reacting a phenol compound of formula (II):
• 8 wherein R1 and R2 respectively represent the same as defined above, with an unsaturated alcohol of formula (III):
• R3R4C=C(R5)-C(R6)(R7)-(CH2)n-OH (III)
• wherein R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and n respectively represent the same as defined above, in the presence of
• (A) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal, an alkali metal compound, an alkaline earth metal and an alkaline earth metal compound, and
• (B) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a transition metal and a transition metal compound.