3,4-Dimethylphenyl 3-nitrophenyl ether, which is an intermediate in th
e synthesis of 3-amino-phenoxyphthalic acid, used as a monomer in prod
uction of heat-resistant polyether imides, has been prepared from 1,3-
dinitrobenzene and 3,4-xylenol in the presence of K2CO3 in dimethylfor
mamide. Conditions that provide high yield and high purity of the targ
et product have been found.