Process for the preparation of hydroxybenzoic benzyl esters

A process for the preparation of a hydroxybenzoic benzyl ester of the formula

• in which R1 to R5 are identical or different and are hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C1-C6-alkoxy, C1-C6-halogenoalkyl, C1-C6-halogenoalkoxy, CN, CO(C1-C6-alkyl), NO2, or halogen,
• comprising reacting a benzyl chloride of the formula
• in which R1, R2, and R3 have the meanings given above for the hydroxybenzoic benzyl ester,
• or mixtures of such benzyl chlorides and a benzyl alcohol of the formula
• in which R1, R2, and R3 have the meanings given above for the hydroxybenzoic benzyl ester,
• with a hydroxybenzoic acid of the formula
• in which R4 and R5 have the meanings given above for the hydroxybenzoic benzyl ester,
• in the presence of one or more amides of the formula
• R6CONR7R8
• in which
• R6 is hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C1-C6-cycloalkyl, C1-C6-alkoxy, amino, C1-C6-alkylamino, C1-C6-cycloalkylamino, or C1-C6-dialkylamino and
• R7 and R8 are identical or different and are hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C1-C6-cycloalkyl, C1-C10-aralkyl, or C1-C12-aryl,
• or R6 and R7 together form a group (CH2)n or NR9 (CH2)n,
• in which
• R9 is hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C1-C6-cycloalkyl, C1-C10-aralkyl, or C1-C12-aryl, and
• n is 2 to 6.