High purity 4-hydroxystyrene solution, method of producing the same, and method of producing 4-hydroxystyrene polymer

Abstract

Provided are a 4-hydroxystyrene solution with high purity and good storage stability that is suitable as a source for producing a 4-hydroxystyrene polymer on a commercial scale, and a method of producing the solution. The method of producing a 4-hydroxystyrene solution of the present invention includes the following steps (i) to (iv):(i) deprotection step for contacting 4-acetoxystyrene with a base in a solvent to produce 4-hydroxystyrene; (ii) neutralization step for adding an acid to the solution containing 4-hydroxystyrene after deprotection to neutralize the solution; (iii) step for washing the solution containing 4-hydroxystyrene after neutralization with water; and (iv) solvent replacement step for adding a solvent that can dissolve 4-hydroxystyrene to the solution containing 4-hydroxystyrene followed by distillation at 40° C. or lower to remove other components than 4-hydroxystyrene and excess solvent.