4-Hydroxybiphenyl → 4-Chloro-(4-biphenylyloxy)-2-butanol

To a solution of 1 mole (158 g.) of 4-phenylphenol 100 g. of sodium hydroxide and 500 ml. of water was added 1 mole (143.02 g.) of 1,4-dichloro-2-butanol with stirring at 40° C. The resulting mixture was heated at 68° C. in a steam bath for 6 hr., cooled and extracted with 300 ml. of chloroform. The chloroform extract was washed with water to neutrality, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated to dryness. The solid residue was recrystallized with isopropanol and yielded 180 g. of a white crystalline solid which melted at 123°-124° C.