Basf Aktiengesellschaft

Herwig Hoffman

Kaspar Bott

Walter Scheidmeir

3-Arylisobutanols of the general formula I ##STR1## where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each hydrogen or an alkyl or cyclo-alkyl radical of not more than 8 carbon atoms, preferably alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, are prepared by a process in which an arylcarbinol of the general formula II ##STR2## is reacted with n-propanol in the presence of a catalytic amount of an alkali metal hydroxide or an alkali metal alcoholate at from 250.degree. to 350.degree. C. in a closed reaction vessel. The process is of particular importance for the preparation of 3-arylisobutanols of the formula I, where R.sup.1 is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms and R.sup.2 is hydrogen. The p-methyl-, p-isopropyl- and p-tert-butylphenylisobutanols obtained here in very good selectivity are useful intermediates for the desirable scents jasmorange, cyclamen aldehyde and Lysmeral.RTM. (Lilial.RTM.).

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Frankenthal, Germany

Herwig Hoffman