Preparation of octyl methoxy cinnamate

PURPOSE: To produce compds. useful as a sunscreening agent in a good yield and high purity by using an easily obtainable and inexpensive starting material by catalytic coupling reaction. CONSTITUTION: p-Bromoanisole is reacted with octyl-acrylate in the presence of a base and a coupling catalyst (palladium catalyst, preferably palladium supported on carbon) in an inactive solvent, preferably non-protonic solvent, especially N-methyl pyrrolidone at 160-210°C, preferably at 190-200°C to obtain octylmethoxy cinnamate of formula. By the fore-mentioned method, the objective compd. being Ames negativity in more good quality can be produced and the production process is carried out in the absence of adding antioxydants. It is preferable to perform the reaction in an inactive atmosphere (suitably in nitrogen atmosphere) in order to avoid the formation of undesirable by-products. The recovered catalyst can be simply regenerated and is able to reuse by replenishing the catalyst and the solvent if necessary. COPYRIGHT: (C)1994,JPO