Hydrolysis of haloaromatic compounds

In the process of hydrolyzing a non-phenolic haloaromatic compound selected from the group consisting of halotoluenes, halobiphenyls, and dihalobenzenes of the group consisting of the o-, m-, and p-chloro- and bromotoluenes, the o-, m-, and p-chloro- and bromo-biphenyls, the o-, m-, and p-dichloro- and dibromobenzenes to produce the corresponding hydroxy aromatic compounds wherein the hydrolysis is effected by reaction of the haloaromatic compound with an alkali metal hydroxide, the improvement comprising conducting the reaction at a temperature of about 250- 330.degree. C, in the presence of a phenolic compound, and with a 50- 100% aqueous alkali metal hydroxide solution.