AMINATION OF DIHYDRIC PHENOL

PURPOSE:To obtain the subject compound on an industrial scale in high yield by using a phenolic compound and a metal phosphate in the amination of the hydroxyl group of a dihydric phenol to produce the corresponding aminophenols and phenylenediamines. CONSTITUTION:Aminophenols and phenylenediamines useful as raw materials for the raw material or modifier of dyes, pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals, rubber chemicals, synthetic resins and synthetic fibers are produced by aminating the hydroxyl group of a dihydric phenol with an amine, preferably ammonia, primary amine or secondary amine. In the above process, a phenolic compound and one or more kinds of metal phosphates selected from titanium, zirconium and hafnium phosphates are added to the reaction system to suppress the by-production of tarry substance, to proceed the reaction without losing the dihydric phenol and to obtain the objective compound in high yield.