Abstract: Polyethylene glycol(PEG)is used as a phase transfer catalyst in the bromo-hydroxylationof styrene.Experimental results showed that the yield of β-blomo-α-hydroxyethylbenzeneand the reaction rate are enhanced by addition of PEG into the system, and the effectincreased remarkably with the increasing amount of sulfuric acid. The maximum, yield ofβ-bromo-α-hydroxyethylbenzen is 92%. A possible mechanism is proposed.

Key words: phase transfer catalysis, polyethylene glycol, styrene, bromo-hydioxylation