Method for the hydrolysis of .alpha.-chlorinated toluene compounds

A continuous method for the hydrolysis of an .alpha.-chlorinated toluene compound selected from the group consisting of benzyl chloride and benzal chloride, said method comprising hydrolyzing said .alpha.-chlorinated toluene compound at a temperature of from 10.degree.-180.degree. C. and at a pressure sufficient to maintain the components in a liquid state, with an aqueous solution of a hydrolyzing agent selected from the group consisting of hydroxides, carbonates, and hydrogen carbonates of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals in at least a stoichiometric amount of the presence of an inert organic solvent selected from the group consisting of benzene, toluene, xylene, ethyl benzene, and mixtures thereof, said hydrolysis reaction being conducted in countercurrent, with an organic phase containing said .alpha.-chlorinated toluene compound and said inert organic solvent flowing in a hydrolysis zone countercurrently with an aqueous phase containing said aqueous solution of said hydrolyzing agent, extracting said aqueous phase, after passing said hydrolysis zone, with said inert organic solvent in an extraction zone, washing said organic phase, after passing said hydrolysis zone, with water in a washing zone, and separating the resulting products of hydrolysis in said organic phase from said organic phase by distillation.