PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF 3-(5-HYDROXYBENZYL)-GLUTARIMIDES AND THEIR LOWER ALKYLETHERS, SUCH GLUTARIC ACID AMIDES PRODUCED

Glutaric acid imides of the general formula WHEREIN R1, R2, and R3 are H or alkyl or alkoxy of up to 6 carbon atoms, respectively, R4, R5, and R6 are H, halogen, OH or functionally modified OH, NO2, COOH, COOR8, CF3, alkyl, alkenyl, or alkinyl of respectively up to 4 carbon atoms, amino, alkylamino, or dialkylamino of up to 8 carbon atoms, or acylamino of up to 7 carbon atoms, or two of R4 and R5 or R5 and R6 are -CH=CH-CH=CH-, R7 is free, esterified or etherified OH, and R8 is alkyl of up to 6 carbon atoms, including the salts and quaternary ammonium compounds thereof, are valuable intermediates in the production of tetracyclines.