| abstract |
The present invention provides a process for the production of a compound of formula: ##STR1## in which X and Y, independently, are hydrogen, halogen, NO 2 , CF 3 , CN, C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, COO--C 1 -C 4 alkyl, CO--C 1 -C 4 alkyl, NH--(C 1 -C 4 alkyl), N(C 1 -C 4 alkyl) 2 , NH(C 1 -C 4 alkyl-OH), N(C 1 -C 4 alkyl-OH) 2 , COOH or SO 3 H or an ester or amide thereof, or COOM or SO 3 M in which M is Na, K, Ca, Mg, ammonium, mono-, di-, tri- or tetra-C 1 -C 4 alkylammonium, mono-, di- or tri-hydroxyalkylammonium or ammonium that is di- or tri-substituted with a mixture of C 1 -C 4 alkyl and C 1 -C 4 hydroxyalkyl groups; n Z is hydrogen, C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, CF 3 , halogen (F, Cl, Br, I), SO 3 H or SO 3 M in which M has its previous significance; and n n is 1 or 2; comprising n A) reacting a diazonium compound having the formula: ##STR2## in which X and n have their previous significance and G is a counter ion, with ethylene in the presence of an inorganic or organic palladium compound, or a mixture thereof, as catalyst-precursor, to produce a compound having the formula: ##STR3## in which X and n have their previous significance; and B) reacting 2 moles of the compound of formula (3) with 1 mole of a compound having the formula: ##STR4## In which Z has its previous significance and each R 1 is the same and is a bromine or iodine atom, in the presence of an inorganic or organic palladium compound, or a mixture thereof, as catalyst-precursor, to produce a compound having the formula (1). The compounds of formula (1) are useful as fluorescent whitening agents. |