Diaminoalkyldiphenyl ethers, a process for their preparation and their use

New diaminoalkyldiphenyl ethers of the formula wherein R1 and R2 are identical or different and denote hydrogen or methyl, but R1 and R2 do not simultaneously represent methyl, are prepared by a process wherein alkyldiphenyl ethers of the formula wherein R1 and R2 have the above-mentioned meaning are acetylated, the diacetyl compounds obtained, in aqueous-alcoholic solution or suspension, are converted to the corresponding dioximes with hydroxylamine, the dried dioximes are subjected to a Beckmann rearrangement and thereafter the diacetylaminoalkyldiphenyl ethers formed are hydrolyzed by means of aqueous mineral acids or alkali metal hydroxide solutions to give the diamines. The new diaminoalkyldiphenyl ethers are used in the preparation of dyestuffs and polyurethanes and serve as monomers for the preparation of polymers.