METHOD FOR PRODUCING BIPHENYLTETRACARBOXYLIC ACID TETRAESTER

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for selectively and more economically producing a biphenyltetracarboxylic acid tetraester, particularly an asymmetric biphenyltetracarboxylic acid tetraester such as 2,3,3',4'-biphenyltetracarboxylic acid tetraester, whereby a phthalic acid ester is oxidatively coupled in the presence of molecular oxygen using a palladium-containing catalyst. SOLUTION: The method for producing the biphenyltetracarboxylic acid tetraester comprises oxidatively coupling the phthalic acid diester in the presence of molecular oxygen using the catalyst containing at least a palladium salt, a copper salt and a β-dicarbonyl compound. The β-dicarbonyl compound used here has a specific chemical structure and comprises >80% enol form, provided that the proportion of the enol form is measured at 26°C in a state of a solution prepared by dissolving the β-dicarbonyl compound in dimethyl phthalate at concentration of 0.1 mol/L. COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT