METHOD OF PRODUCING M-PHENOXYBENZYL ALCOHOL

The invention relates to a process for the preparation of compounds of formula (I) wherein R1 stands for hydrogen or the group COR2, wherein R2 stands for a straight or branched chained alkyl having 1 to 8 carbon atoms optionally substituted with phenyl, naphthyl, tetrahydronaphthyl or m-phenoxy-benzyl, cycloalkyl having 3 to 6 carbon atoms optionally substituted with one or more straight or branched chained alkyl or alkenyl having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, phenyl or naphthyl. The compounds of formula (I) are prepared according to the invention by (a) reacting esters of formula (II) wherein X stands for chlorine or bromine and R2 has the same meanings as defined above with a phenol alkali metal salt and (b) if desired converting the diphenyl ethers so obtained to a specific compound of formula (I), m-phenoxybenzyl alcohol by the hydrolysis of the ester group.