Process for synthesis of dihydroxy-dicarboxylic acid biphenyl compounds

A method of making a compound represented by Formula 1, the method comprising:

• combining a compound of Formula A with a metal carbonate, and a metal formate in the presence an aliphatic aromatic hydrocarbon with a boiling point from 110° C. to 180° C. to provide a reaction mixture,
• and
• conducting a reaction of the reaction mixture with an amount of carbon dioxide sufficient to maintain a reaction pressure of 15 to 50 bar, wherein the reaction is conducted at a temperature from 190° C. to 260° C.;
• wherein in Formula 1 and Formula A:
• each A is independently C or N;
• L1 is a single bond, O, S, CH2, CF2, C(CH3)2, C(CF3)2, a C2-C3 alkylene, a C4-C10 arylene, or a combination thereof;
• and
• each Ra is independently H, F, CN, C1-C4 alkyl, or C1-C4 alkoxy.