Process for the preparation of hydroxynapthalenes

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of hydroxynaphthalenes of formula (I) ##STR1## wherein n represents a number from 1 to 6, X denotes C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, halogen, carboxyl, carboxylic acid ester, nitro, chlorosulphonyl, arylsulphonyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, acyloxy, or an amino or aminosulphonyl that is unsubstituted or N-substituted with alkyl or aryl, or two radicals X, together with the adjacent carbon atoms to which they are bonded, form a fused-on aromatic, cycloaliphatic, or heterocyclic ring, and m denotes a number from 0 to 6, wherein if m is greater than 1, then each X can have different or identical meanings, by reacting (1) a naphthalenesulphonic acid of formula (II) or a salt thereof ##STR2## wherein n and m have the above meanings and X.sub.1 has the same meaning as X or is SO.sub.3 H, with (2) alkali in the presence of (3) an alkylated urea derivative.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.