Process for preparing alkoxy aryl ester

A process for preparing a compound represented by the formula

• which compound may optionally be further mono- or di- substituted with halogen atoms, alkyl groups having 1 to 4 C- atoms and/or alkoxy groups having 1 to 4 C- atoms, wherein R is methyl or ethyl group, comprising
• contacting a corresponding compound represented by the formula
• which compound is not further substituted or further mono- or di- substituted in corresponding positions with halogen atoms, alkyl groups having 1 to 4 C- atoms and/or alkoxy groups having a to 4 C- atoms, with an alkylating agent, wherein the alkylating agent is a compound of the formula (RO)2SO2 wherein R has the above meaning and wherein the number of alkyl groups present in the alkylating agent is 100% to 110% of the number of the OH group and COOH group in the compound of formula (II), in the presence of a bis-quaternary ammonium salt or a polymeric quaternary ammonium salt in an amount of 0.5-10 mol % of the compound of formula (II), in a two-phase system of an aqueous solution of a base and an apolar, aprotic organic solvent, wherein the amount of the organic solvent is 10-50 wt % of the total of the compound (II), the alkylating agent, the bis-quaternary ammonium salt and the aqueous solution of a base.

A process for preparing para-ethoxyethyl benzoate, comprising:

• contacting para-hydroxy benzoic acid with an alkylating agent, wherein the alkylating agent is a compound of the formula (CH3CH2O)2SO2 or CH3CH2X wherein X is a halide.