SEPARATION OF ALKOXYBENZENESULFONATE

PURPOSE:To separate the title compound under a relatively mild condition and efficiently by concentrating a mixture of the title compound, a sulfate and/or halide of an alkaline (earth) metal under heating, separating into two layers and cooling the layer containing the title compound. CONSTITUTION:An aqueous solution of a mixture of an alkoxybenzenesulfonate shown by the formula (X1 to X3 are H or halogen; R is alkyl; M is alkali metal or alkaline earth metal; (m) is 1 when M is alkali metal and (m) is 1/2 when M is alkaline earth metal; (n) is >=1 integer), a sulfate and/or a halide of an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal prepared as a by-product of neutralized product of sulfonating agent in the production process of the subject compound is concentrated until the aqueous solution is separated into two layers under heating at 30-100 deg.C. The aqueous solution layer containing the compound shown by the formula in said two layers is cooled and the objective compound is precipitated as crystal.