Bis-stilbene compounds

Abstract

Sulphonic acids of bis-styrylbiphenyls, which are useful optical brighteners, are obtained in good yields in a simple manner by reacting styrene compounds with 4,4'-dibromobiphenyl-3,3'-disulphonic acids or their salts in the presence of bases and palladium catalysts. The bis-stilbene compounds have the formula: ##STR1## where at least one of the rings A or B contains a sulfonic acid group.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.