PRODUCTION OF 3-(HYDROXYPHENYL)PROPANAL AND 3-(HYDROXYPHENYL)PROPANOL

Process for the preparation of 3-(hydroxyphenyl)-propionaldehydes of the general formula I and optionally preparation of 3-(hydroxyphenyl)-propanols of the general formula II in which R , R , R and R denote hydrogen, C1- to C20-alkyl, C3- to C20-cycloalkyl, C4- to C20-alkylcycloalkyl, C4- to C20-cycloalkylalkyl or C5- to C20-alkylcycloalkylalkyl, R and R denote aryl, C7- to C20-aralkyl, heterocycloalkyl or C3- to C20-heterocycloalkylalkyl, by reacting a) phenols of the general formula III in which R and R have the abovementioned meanings, with 3-hydroxypropionaldehydes of the general formula IV in which R and R have the abovementioned meanings, in the presence of a basic catalyst at temperatures from 90 to 230 DEG C and pressures from 0.01 to 50 bar, and optionally b) treating the resultant 3-(hydroxyphenyl)-propionaldehydes of the general formula I in which R , R , R and R have the abovementioned meanings, with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst at temperatures from 0 to 250 DEG C and pressures from 0.1 to 300 bar.