Process for the isolation of 2,2-dimethyl-7-hydroxy-coumaran

A process for the isolation of a dihydroxybenzenemonoether from a reaction mixture containing solvent, ether and unreacted dihydroxybenzene, comprising contacting the reaction mixture with at least one hydrocarbon which is not miscible or only partially miscible with the reaction mixture, the ether selectively entering the hydrocarbon. Advantageously the reaction for the preparation of the monoether is carried out in an alcohol, a ketone, a dipolar aprotic solvent or a polyhydroxyalkyl ether, or a mixture thereof with water, the hydrocarbon used as extracting agent has a boiling point between about 80 DEG and 300 DEG C., and the extraction is carried out in the presence of water whereby there is an increase in the selectivity of the extraction.