Process for preparation of 3,5-bisalkylphenols

A process for producing a carbinol compound represented by the following formula (1):

• (wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal atom, an alkaline earth metal atom, or a hydroxyl-protecting group (other than methyl group);
• and R2 represents a C1 to C5 lower alkyl group or an optionally substituted phenyl group) characterized by comprising reacting a metallic alkylating agent with an isophthalate ester derivative represented by the following formula (3):
• (wherein R1 has the same meaning as described above;
• and each of R3 and R4, which may be identical to or different from each other, represents a lower alkyl group, an aralkyl group, or an aryl group).

A process for producing a 3,5-bisalkylphenol represented by the following formula (2):

• (wherein R 2 represents a C1 to C5 lower alkyl group or an optionally substituted phenyl group) characterized by comprising reacting a metallic alkylating agent with an isophthalate ester derivative represented by the following formula (3):
• (wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal atom, an alkaline earth metal atom, or a hydroxyl-protecting group (other than methyl group);
• and each of R3 and R4, which may be identical to or different from each other, represents a lower alkyl group, an aralkyl group, or an aryl group), to thereby form a carbinol compound represented by the following formula (1):
• (wherein each of R1 and R2 has the same meaning as described above) (step-1), and subsequently, hydrogenolyzing the carbinol compound and, in accordance with needs, removing the hydroxyl-protecting group (step-2).