Process for the manufacture of hydroxyalkoxybenzophenones

Abstract

The invention relates to a process for the manufacture of hydroxyalkoxybenzophenones of general formula: ##STR1## in which R represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl radical or an optionally substituted C.sub.1 to C.sub.20 alkyl or aralkyl group, R' represents a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted C.sub.1 to C.sub.20, preferably C.sub.1, C.sub.8 or C.sub.12, alkyl or aralkyl group, by reaction of an .alpha.,.alpha.,.alpha.-trihalotoluene with a polyhydroxyphenol or a hydroxyalkoxyphenol. According to this process, the reaction is carried out in the presence of a sulphur-containing or selenium-containing catalyst consisting of a compound of the mercaptan or seleno-mercaptan type and preferably containing a short C.sub.1 to C.sub.20, preferably C.sub.2 to C.sub.12, carbon chain which is largely sterically unhindered.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.