Hydroxy aromatic compounds from alkali metal hydroxide and mononuclear aromatic compound

This invention pertains to a process for preparing hydroxy mononuclear aromatic compounds by reacting an alkali metal hydroxide with a mononuclear aromatic compound, e.g., benzene, xylene or toluene. The reaction is carried out in the presence of a metallic hydrogenation catalyst, suitably copper, nickel, rhodium or cobalt, the metal being present in an amount sufficient for catalyzing the reaction. The hydroxy mononuclear aromatic compound is then formed by adding a protonating agent to the resulting reaction product, with the protonating agent liberating the hydroxy compound from the salt.