PURPOSE: To obtain a compound useful as an antioxidant and intermediate of various kind of derivatives in high purity and yield, by reacting 2-tert.-butyl-6- methylphenylol with acrylic acid alkyl under specific conditions.

CONSTITUTION: 2-tert.-Butyl-6-methylphenol is reacted with acrylic acid alkylester using an alkali metal-2-tert.-butyl-6-methylphenoxide at room temperatureW200°C, preferably 70W150°C. The catalyst is used in an amount of 0.001W<0.05 based on 1mol methylphenol. After the reaction is over, the catalyst is removed and reaction product is distilled under reduced pressure to provide the high-purity aimed product reduced in a by-product without further carrying out a treatment e.g. recrystallization, other than the distillation.