O-amino(thio)phenolcarboxylic acids, and their preparation

Abstract

The invention relates to novel o-aminophenolcarboxylic acids, and o-aminothiophenolcarboxylic acids of the following structure: ##STR1## where A.sup.1 to A.sup.7 are--independently of one another--H, F, CH.sub.3, CF.sub.3, OCH.sub.3, OCF.sub.3, CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3, CF.sub.2 CF.sub.3, OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.3 or OCF.sub.2 CF.sub.3, where at least one of the radicals A.sup.1 to A.sup.3 must be F or an F-containing group; T is O or S, and m is 0 or 1; and Z is a carbocyclic or heterocyclic aromatic radical.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to novel o-aminophenolcarboxylic acids and o-aminothiophenolcarboxylic acids, which are also jointly abbreviated to o-amino(thio)phenol-carboxylic acids, and to a process for their preparation.

o-aminophenolcarboxylic acids are needed, in particular, for the preparation of high-temperature-stable polymers, such as polybenzoxazoles (PBOs) and their precursors. Compared with the preparation of polybenzoxazoles or PBO precursors from bis-o-aminophenols and dicarboxylic acids, the use of o-aminophenol-carboxylic acids has significant advantages. For example, an o-aminophenolcarboxylic acid can be reacted with itself, i.e. a second monomer is not absolutely necessary for the polymerization. This thermal, electrical and mechanical behavior, but also the solubility and hydrolysis stability and numerous other properties of the polymer are greatly affected by the monomer used in the preparation.

PBO precursors in the form of a photosensitive composition can be structured inexpensively by direct methods, i.e. without an auxiliary resist. Compared with other dielectrics which can be photostructured directly, such as polyimide (PI) and benzocyclobutene (BCB), PBO precursors offer the advantage of positive structurability and aqueous-alkaline development (see EP 0 023 662 B1 and EP 0 264 678 B1). To this end, the PBO precursors used must be substantially transparent at the exposure wavelength and sufficiently soluble in the developer, which preferably contains no metal ions. Besides good solubility of the precursors, advantages for the use of polybenzoxazoles in microelectronics are low moisture absorption and a good planarization capacity. Production of components using a dielectric which produces good planarization allows expensive polishing procedures (chemical mechanical polishing, CMP) to be avoided.

o-aminophenolcarboxylic acids are disclosed, for example, in GB 811,758 and GB 1,283,476. In PBO films produced from the known monomers, the water absorption in boiling water after 24 h is 0.77%. No mention is made of the planarization behavior of the polymers produced after cyclization on the substrate or their suitability as base polymers for compositions which can be photo-structured positively.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide o-amino-phenolcarboxylic acids and o-aminothiophenolcarboxylic acids which are suitable for the preparation of polymers which satisfy the greatly increased demands of microelectronics. The o-amino(thio)phenolcarboxylic acids should, in particular, enable the preparation of readily soluble polymer precursors which, after cyclization on a substrate, give polybenzoxazoles or polybenzothiazoles of low moisture absorption and high degree of planarization.

This is achieved in accordance with the invention by o-aminophenolcarboxylic acids and o-aminothiophenol-carboxylic acids of the following structure: ##STR2## in which A.sup.1 to A.sup.7 are--independently of one another--H, F, CH.sub.3, CF.sub.3, OCH.sub.3, OCF.sub.3, CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3, CF.sub.2 CF.sub.3, OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.3 or OCF.sub.2 CF.sub.3, where at least one of the radicals A.sup.1 to A.sup.3 must be F or an F-containing group;

T is O or S, m is 0 or 1; and Z is one of the following carbocyclic or heterocyclic aromatic radicals: ##STR3## wherein Q=C-A or N, and A=H, F, (CH.sub.2).sub.p CH.sub.3, (CF.sub.2).sub.p CF.sub.3, O(CH.sub.2).sub.p CH.sub.3, O(CF.sub.2).sub.p CF.sub.3, CO(CH.sub.2).sub.p CH.sub.3, CO(CF.sub.2).sub.p CF.sub.3, where p=0 to 8 (linear or branched chain), OC(CH.sub.3).sub.3, OC(CF.sub.3).sub.3, C.sub.6 H.sub.5, C.sub.6 F.sub.5, OC.sub.6 H.sub.5, OC.sub.6 F.sub.5, cyclopentyl, perfluorocyclopentyl, cyclohexyl or perfluorocyclohexyl, where, in the isolated aromatic rings, a maximum of 3 N-atoms may be present per ring and only 2 N-atoms may be adjacent, and, in the fused ring systems, a maximum of 2 N-atoms may be present per ring, M=a single bond, (CH.sub.2).sub.n, (CF.sub.2)n, CH(CH.sub.3), CH(CF.sub.3), CF(CH.sub.3), CF(CF.sub.3), C(CH.sub.3).sub.2, C(CF.sub.3).sub.2, CH(C.sub.6 H.sub.5), CH(C.sub.6 F.sub.5), CF(C.sub.6 H.sub.5), C(CH.sub.3) (C.sub.6 H.sub.5), C(CH.sub.3) (C.sub.6 F.sub.5), C(CF.sub.3) (C.sub.6 H.sub.5), C(CF.sub.3) (C.sub.6 F.sub.5), C(C.sub.6 H.sub.5), C(C6F.sub.5).sub.2, CO, SO.sub.2, ##STR4##

The novel compounds have, for example, the following structure: ##STR5##

In compounds of this type, the ether bridges are apparently responsible for the good solubility and the good planarization properties of the polymer precursors prepared therewith. In addition, the characterization "A.sup.1 -A.sup.3" and "A.sup.4 -A.sup.7 " in the structural formula means that the aminophenyl groups contain radicals A.sup.1, A.sup.2 and A.sup.3, and radicals A.sup.4, A.sup.5, A.sup.6 and A.sup.7 respectively.

The o-amino(thio)phenolcarboxylic acids can be prepared by (a) reacting a halogen-containing nitro compound of the structure ##STR6## with a hydroxy or mercapto compound of the structure ##STR7## in the presence of at least a stoichiometric amount of a base, or with an alkali metal salt of the hydroxy or mercapto compound, in a solvent at a temperature between -10 and 80.degree. C., where X is a halogen atom, E is CN or COOR.sup.1, where R.sup.1 =alkyl (having 1 to 5 carbon atoms), phenyl or benzyl, and A.sup.1 to A.sup.7 , T and Z are as defined above; and (b) reducing the resultant nitro compound to the amino compound and hydrolyzing the latter.

In this synthesis, which is very economical, firstly a nitro compound containing at least two halogen atoms, one of which is in the opposition to the nitro group, is thus reacted with a hydroxy or mercapto compound containing an ester or nitrile group. The resultant o-nitro(thio)phenol is then reduced to the corresponding amino compound, and the ester or nitrile group is hydrolyzed to the carboxyl group.

The hydroxy or mercapto compound is an aromatic or substituted aromatic compound. Suitable compounds for the reaction with the aromatic nitro compound are in principle all those in which the hydroxyl or mercapto group has adequate nucleophilicity.

Alternatively, the o-amino(thio)phenolcarboxylic acids can also be prepared by

(a) reacting a halogen compound of the structure ##STR8## with a nitrophenol or nitrothiophenol (abbreviated to "nitro(thio)phenol") of the structure ##STR9## in the presence of at least a stoichiometric amount of a base, or with an alkali metal salt of the nitro(thio)phenol, in a solvent at a temperature between -10 and 80.degree. C., where X is a halogen atom, E is CN or COOR.sup.1, where R.sup.1 =alkyl (having 1 to 5 carbon atoms), phenyl or benzyl, and A.sup.1 to A.sup.7, T and Z are as defined above; and (b) reducing the resultant nitro compound to the amino compound and hydrolyzing the latter.

In this synthesis, which is likewise very economical, a halogen-containing ester or a corresponding nitrile is thus reacted with a nitro(thio)phenol containing a halogen atom in the opposition to the nitro group. The resultant nitro compound is then reduced to the corresponding amino compound, and the ester or nitrile group is hydrolyzed to the carboxyl group.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The reaction between the hydroxy or mercapto compound and the nitro compound, in which an ether or thioether bridge is formed, is carried out in the presence of a base. This base is preferably a carbonate or hydrogen-carbonate of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal, such as sodium carbonate or potassium carbonate. For the (thio)ether formation and for replacement of the halogen atom (in the o-position to the nitro group) by a hydroxyl or mercapto group, at least the stoichiometric amount of the base is necessary in each case. It may also be advantageous to use an organic base containing a tertiary N-atom, for example triethylamine or pyridine. In this case, the addition of water is necessary. The hydroxy or mercapto compound can also be replaced by a corresponding alkali metal salt, for example the potassinum salt.

A reaction temperature in the range from -10 to 80.degree. C. has proven suitable. Temperatures .ltoreq.80.degree. C. are preferred owing to the greater selectivity of the reaction. It is advantageous here initially to maintain a temperature of .ltoreq.25.degree. C. for some time, for example for about 16 hours, during which the reaction of the nitro compound with the hydroxy or mercapto compound takes place. The reaction is then continued at elevated temperature, i.e. .gtoreq.40.degree. C.; during this reaction, the replacement of the halogen atom by a hydroxy or mercapto compound takes place.

Suitable solvents are, in particular, dimethylform-amide, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, N-methylpyrrolidone, .gamma.-butyrolactone, aceto-nitrile, tetrahydrofuran and pyridine. In principle, however, all polar aprotic solvents in which the starting compounds are soluble can be used.

The reduction of the nitro compound can be carried out, for example, by hydrogenation using hydrogen on Pd/C. In principle, however, all the processes which are suitable for reducing the nitro group to the amino group are suitable.

The reduction of the nitro compound and the hydrolysis of the ester or nitrile group can be carried out in two separate process steps, the hydrolysis being carried out, for example, using sulfuric acid; these process steps can be carried out in any desired sequence. In the presence of an ester group, however, the reduction of the nitro group and the hydrolysis are carried out simultaneously, by hydrogenation using hydrogen on Pd/C. Hydrogenation is preferably carried out at temperatures of from 25 to 50.degree. C.

The polymer precursors prepared from the o-amino(thio)-phenolcarboxylic acids of the invention and having improved properties compared with the prior art are soluble in many organic solvents, such as acetone, cyclohexanone, N-methylpyrrolidone, diethylene glycol, mono- or diethyl ether, ethyl lactate and y-butyrolactone, and in aqueous-alkaline developers containing no metal ions. They are therefore highly suitable as base polymers for dielectrics which can be photo-structured positively and can be developed in aqueous-alkaline media. The precursors can easily be applied to substrates, such as silicone wafers, by spin-coating methods, they form uniform films, and can readily be cyclized on the substrate. A particular advantage of the precursors prepared from these o-amino(thio)phenolcarboxylic acids is their high planarization capacity and low moisture absorption.

The invention will be illustrated in greater detail below with reference to working examples.

EXAMPLE 1

Preparation of Benzyl 4-(4-nitro-3-hydroxy-2,5,6-trifluorophenoxy)benzoate ##STR10##

42.6 g of pentafluoronitrobenzene (0.2 mol) are dissolved in 300 ml of N-methylpyrrolidone. After 30 g of potassium carbonate (0.22 mol) have been added, the mixture is cooled to -5.degree. C., and a solution of 45.6 g of benzyl 4-hydroxybenzoate (0.2 mol) in 300 ml of N-methylpyrrolidone is then added drop wise over the course of 30 minutes with stirring. After 1 hour, the reaction temperature is raised to 23.degree. C. for 24 hours, and 800 ml of water and 300 ml of ethyl acetate are then added. The organic phase is separated, washed three times with water and dried over sodium sulphate. The solution is then concentrated in a rotary evaporator until yellow crystals precipitate. The reaction product is washed with petroleum ether (boiling range 60-80.degree. C.) collected on a Buchner funnel and dried in a vacuum dryer under nitrogen at 40.degree. C./10 mbar (Yield 89%).

Characterization: Mass spectrum: molecular peak at 419 Elemental analysis: ______________________________________Theoretical value (in %): C: 57.3 H:.2.9 N: 3.3 Found (in %) C: 57.5 H: 3.0 N: 3.3______________________________________ m.p.: 78.degree. C.

EXAMPLE 2

Preparation of 4- (4-amino-3-hydroxy-2,5, 6-trifluoro-phenoxy)benzoic Acid ##STR11##

50 g of benzyl 4-(4-nitro-3-hydroxy-2,5,6-trifluorophenoxy)benzoate prepared as described in Example 1 (0.12 mol) are dissolved in 600 ml of a mixture of tetrahydrofuran and ethyl acetate (volume ratio 1:1), and 5 g of Pd/C (palladium/carbon) are added to the solution. The mixture is then hydrogenated at room temperature in an autoclave with vigorous stirring using hydrogen at a pressure of 1 bar; after 3 days, the reaction is terminated. The yellow solution is evaporated to half in a rotary evaporator and left to stand overnight at room temperature, during which the reaction product precipitates out in crystalline form. The reaction product is then separated off and dried for 48 hours under nitrogen at 40.degree. C./10 mbar in a vacuum drying cabinet (yield: 93%).

The Characterization: Mass spectrum: molecular peak at 299 Elemental analysis: ______________________________________Theoretical value (in %): C: 52.2 H: 2.7 N: 4.7 Found (in %) C: 52.1 H: 2.7 N: 4.6______________________________________

EXAMPLE 3

Preparation of 4-(4-benzyloxycarbonylphenoxy) nonafluoro-biphenyl ##STR12##

37.6 g of decafluorobiphenyl (0.112 mol) are dissolved in 700 ml of dimethylformamide, and the solution is cooled to -10.degree. C. by means of a cryostat, and a solution of 15 g of potassium 4-benzyloxycarbonylphenoxide (0.056 mol) in 300 ml of dimethylformamide is then added drop wise over the course of 2 hours. After 48 hours at -10.degree. C., the potassium salt has reacted. The dimethylformamide is then removed in a rotary evaporator, and the residue is taken up in a little tetrahydrofuran and filtered via a silica-gel column. The clear solution obtained is evaporated in a rotary evaporator until the reaction product precipitates out. The reaction product is then stirred in n-hexane, filtered off via a fluted filter and then dried for 48 hours under nitrogen at 40.degree. C./10 mbar in a vacuum drying cabinet.

Characterization: Mass spectrum: molecular peak at 542 Elemental analysis: ______________________________________Theoretical value (in %): C: 57.6 H: 2.0 Found (in %) C: 57.5 H: 1.9______________________________________

m.p. : 120.degree. C.

EXAMPLE 4

Preparation of 4-nitrotetrafluorophenol ##STR13##

21.3 g of pentafluoronitrobenzene (0.1 mol) are dissolved in 400 ml of dimethyl sulfoxide; a solution of 11.2 g of potassium hydroxide (0.2 mol) in 100 ml of water is added drop wise to this solution with vigorous stirring. After 24 hours at room temperature, the crude product is washed by shaking with 200 ml of ethyl acetate and 400 ml of water. The organic phase is washed three times with water, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to half in a rotary evaporator. The reaction product is then recrystallized from a mixture of ethyl acetate and n-hexane (volume ratio 1:1) and then dried for 48 hours under nitrogen at 40.degree. C./10 mbar in a vacuum drying cabinet (yield: 95%).

Characterization: Mass spectrum: molecular peak at 211 Elemental analysis: ______________________________________Theoretical value (in %): C: 34.1 H: 0.5 N: 6.6 Found (in %) C: 34.0 H: 0.4 N: 6.7______________________________________

m.p.: 171.degree. C.

EXAMPLE 5

Preparation of 4-(4-nitro-3-hydroxy-2,5,6-trifluoro-phenoxy)-4'-(4-benzyloxycarbonylphenoxy)octafluoro-biphenyl ##STR14##

50 g of 4-(4-benzyloxycarbonylphenoxy)nonafluoro-biphenyl prepared as described in Example 3 (0.092 mol) and 19.4 g of 4-nitrotetrafluorophenol prepared as described in Example 4 (0.092 mol) are dissolved in 400 ml of dimethyl sulfoxide. 25 g of potassium carbonate (0.184 mol) are added in portions to the solution. The mixture is then stirred at room temperature for 24 hours and then heated at 60.degree. C. for 24 hours, and 10 g of potassium hydrogencarbonate (0.1 mol) are then added. The reaction solution is ten cooled to room temperature and filtered through a fluted filter. The crude product is washed by shaking with 300 ml of ethyl acetate and 700 ml of water, and the organic phase is washed three times with water and evaporated in a rotary evaporator until the reaction product precipitates out. The reaction product is then recrystallized from a mixture of ethyl acetate and n-hexane (volume ratio 1:1) and then dried for 48 hours under nitrogen at 40.degree. C./10 mbar in a vacuum drying cabinet (yield: 92%).

Characterization: Mass spectrum: molecular peak at 731 Elemental analysis: ______________________________________Theoretical value (in %): C: 52.5 H: 1.7 N: 1.9 Found (in %) C: 52.7 H: 1.8 N: 1.8______________________________________

EXAMPLE 6

Preparation of 4-(4-amino-3-hydroxy-2,5,6-trifluoro-phenoxy)-4'-(4-carboxyphenoxy)octafluoro-biphenyl ##STR15##

50 g of 4-(4-nitro-3-hydroxy-2,5,6-trifluoro-phenoxy)-4'-(4-benzyloxycarbonylphenoxy)octafluoro-biphenyl prepared as described in Example 5 (0.069 mol) are dissolved in 600 ml of a mixture of tetrahydrofuran and ethyl acetate (volume ratio 1:1), and 5 g of Pd/C (palladium/carbon) are added to the solution. The mixture is then hydrogenated at room temperature in an autoclave with vigorous stirring using hydrogen at a pressure of 1 bar; after 3 days, the reaction is terminated. The orange solution is evaporated to half in a rotary evaporator and left to stand overnight at room temperature, during which the reaction product precipitates out in crystalline form. The reaction product is then dried for 48 hours under nitrogen at 40.degree. C./10 mbar in a vacuum drying cabinet (yield: 93%).

Characterization: Mass spectrum: molecular peak at 611 Elemental analysis: ______________________________________Theoretical value (in %): C: 49.1 H: 1.3 N: 2.3 Found (in %) C: 48.9 H: 1.4 N: 2.3______________________________________

EXAMPLE 7

Preparation of 2-(4-benzyloxycarbonylphenoxy)-3,4, 5,6-tetrafluoropyridine ##STR16##

33.8 g of pentafluoropyridine (0.2 mol) are dissolved in 500 ml of dimethylformamide, and the solution is cooled to 0.degree. C. by means of a cryostat and a solution of 53.6 g of potassium-4-benzyl-oxycarbonylphenoxide (0.2 mol) in 400 ml of dimethylformamide is then added drop wise over the course of 2 hours. After 24 hours at 0.degree. C., the potassium salt has reacted. The dimethylformamide is then removed in a rotary evaporator, and the residue is taken up in a little tetrahydrofuran and filtered via a silica-gel column. The clear solution obtained is evaporated in a rotary evaporator until the reaction product precipitates out. The reaction product is then stirred in n-hexane, filtered off via a fluted filter and then dried for 48 hours under nitrogen at 40.degree. C./10 mbar in a vacuum drying cabinet.

Characterization: Mass spectrum: molecular peak at 377 Elemental analysis: ______________________________________Theoretical value (in %): C: 60.5 H: 2.9 N: 3.7 Found (in %) C: 60.6 H: 2.9 N: 3.6______________________________________

EXAMPLE 8

Preparation of 4-(4-nitro-3-hydroxy-2,5,6-trifluoro-phenoxy)-2-(4-benzyloxycarbonylphenoxy)-3,5,6-tri-fluoropyridine ##STR17##

40 g of 2-(4-benzyloxycarbonylphenoxy)-3,4, 5, 6-tetrafluoropyridine prepared as described in Example 7 (0.106 mol) and 22.4 g of 4-nitrotetrafluorophenol prepared as described in Example 4 (0.106 mol) are dissolved in 400 ml of dimethyl sulfoxide. 30 g of potassium carbonate (0.22 mol) are added in portions to the solution. The mixture is then stirred at room temperature for 24 hours and then heated at 60.degree. C. for 24 hours, and 15 g of potassium hydrogen carbonate (0.15 mol) are then added. The reaction solution is then cooled to room temperature and filtered through a fluted filter. The crude product is washed by shaking with 300 ml of ethyl acetate and 700 ml of water, and the organic phase is washed three times with water and evaporated in a rotary evaporator until the reaction product precipitates out. The reaction product is then recrystallized from a mixture of ethyl acetate and n-hexane (volume ratio 1:1) and then dried for 48 hours under nitrogen at 40.degree. C./10 mbar in a vacuum drying cabinet (Yield: 92%).

Characterization: Mass spectrum: molecular peak at 566 Elemental analysis:

EXAMPLE 9

______________________________________Theoretical value (in %): C: 53.0 H: 2.1 N: 4.9 Found (in %) C: 52.8 H: 2.1 N: 5.0______________________________________

Preparation of 4-(4-amino-3-hydroxy-2,5,6-trifluoro-phenoxy)-2-(4-carboxyphenoxy)-3,5,6-trifluoropyridine ##STR18##

35 g of 4-(4-nitro-3-hydroxy-2,5,6-trifluoro-phenoxy)-2-(4-benzyloxycarbonylphenoxy)-3,5,6-tri-fluoropyridine prepared as described in Example 8 (0.062 mol) are dissolved in 500 ml of a mixture of tetrahydrofuran and ethyl acetate (volume ratio 1:1), and 3.5 g of Pd/C (palladium/carbon) are added to the solution. The mixture is then hydrogenated at room temperature in an autoclave with vigorous stirring using hydrogen at a pressure of 1 bar; after 2 days, the reaction is terminated. The yellow solution is evaporated to half in a rotary evaporator and left to stand overnight at room temperature, during which the reaction product precipitates out in crystalline form. The reaction product is then dried for 48 hours under nitrogen at 40.degree. C./10 mbar in a vacuum drying cabinet (yield: 91%).

Characterization: Mass spectrum: molecular peak at 446 Elemental analysis: ______________________________________Theoretical value (in %): C: 48.4 H: 1.8 N: 6.3 Found (in %) C: 48.5 H: 1.7 N: 6.3______________________________________

Claims

1. An o-aminophenolcarboxylic acid or o-aminothiophenolcarboxylic acid of the structure ##STR19## in which A.sup.1 to A.sup.7 are--independently of one another--H, F, CH.sub.3, CF.sub.3, OCH.sub.3, OCF.sub.3, CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3, CF.sub.2 CF.sub.3, OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.3 or OCF.sub.2 CF.sub.3, where at least one of the radicals A.sup.1 to A.sup.3 must be F or an F-containing group; as given above

T is O or S,

m is 0.

2. The o-aminophenolcarboxylic acid according to claim 1 of the structure ##STR20##

3. The o-aminophenolcarboxylic acid according to claim 2 in which each of A.sup.1 -A.sup.3 is F and each of A.sup.4 -A.sup.7 is H.

4. The o-aminophenolcarboxylic acid according to claim 2 of the structure

5. A process for the preparation of an o-aminophenolcarboxylic acid or o-aminothiophenolcarboxylic acid as claimed in claim 1, which comprises (a) reacting a halogen-containing nitro compound of the structure ##STR21## with a hydroxy or mercapto compound of the structure ##STR22## in the presence of at least the stoichiometric amount of a base, or with an alkali metal salt of the hydroxy or mercapto compound, in a solvent at a temperature between -10 and 80.degree. C., where X is a halogen atom, E is CN or COOR.sup.1, where R.sup.1 =alkyl (having 1 to 5 carbon atoms), phenyl or benzyl, and A.sup.1 to A.sup.7, and T are as defined above, and

(b) reducing the resultant nitro compound to the amino compound and hydrolyzing the latter.

6. A process for the preparation of an o-aminophenolcarboxylic acid or o-aminothiophenolcarboxylic acid as claimed in claim 1, which comprises

(a) reacting a halogen compound of the structure ##STR23## with a nitrophenol or nitrothiophenol of the structure ##STR24## in the presence of at least the stoichiometric amount of a base, or with an alkali metal salt of the nitro(thio)phenol, in a solvent at a temperature between -10 and 80.degree. C., where X is a halogen atom, E is CN or COOR.sup.1, where R.sup.1 =alkyl (having 1 to 5 carbon atoms), phenyl or benzyl, and A.sup.1 to A.sup.7, and T are as defined above; and

(b) reducing the resultant nitro compound to the amino compound and hydrolyzing the latter.

7. The process as claimed in claim 5, wherein the base used is a carbonate or hydrogencarbonate of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal.

8. The process as claimed in claim 6, wherein the base used is a carbonate or hydrogencarbonate of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal.

9. The process as claimed in claim 5, wherein an organic base containing a tertiary N-atom is used together with water.

10. The process as claimed in claim 6, wherein an organic base containing a tertiary N-atom is used together with water.

11. The process as claimed in claim 5, wherein the reduction and, if E=COOR.sup.1 the hydrolysis, are carried out by means of hydrogen and are catalyzed by Pd/C.

12. The process as claimed in claim 6, wherein the reduction and, if E=COOR.sup.1 the hydrolysis, are carried out by means of hydrogen and are catalyzed by Pd/C.

13. The process as claimed in claim 7, wherein the reduction and, if E=COOR.sup.1 the hydrolysis, are carried out by means of hydrogen and are catalyzed by Pd/C.

14. The process as claimed in claim 8, wherein the reduction and, if E=COOR.sup.1 the hydrolysis, are carried out by means of hydrogen and are catalyzed by Pd/C.

15. The process as claimed in claim 9, wherein the reduction and, if E=COOR.sup.1 the hydrolysis, are carried out by means of hydrogen and are catalyzed by Pd/C.

16. The process as claimed in claim 10, wherein the reduction and, if E=COOR.sup.1 the hydrolysis, are carried out by means of hydrogen and are catalyzed by Pd/C.

17. The process as claimed in claim 5 for producing an o-aminophenolcarboxylic acid of the structure ##STR25## which comprises (a) reacting pentafluoronitrobenzene with benzyl p-hydroxybenzoate in presence of base and

(b) reducing the resulting nitro compound of the structure ##STR26## to the amino compound, hydrolyzing the latter, and removing the benzyl group.