Method for preparing 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2H-benzotriazole

This invention provides a method for preparing 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2H-benzotriatzole of formula (I) below, consisting of steps of: a) performing a first reduction in which hydrazine hydrate is added to a compound of formula (II) below with or without a phase transition catalyst in the presence of solvents which include a nonpolar solvent, water, and an alkaline compound, thereby preparing a compound of formula (III) below; and b) performing a second reduction in which water is added to the compound of formula (III) prepared in step a), and then zinc powder and sulfuric acid are added thereto with or without the phase transition catalyst, wherein, X is halogen or hydrogen; R is hydrogen, C1-C12 alkyl, C5-C8 cycloalkyl, phenyl, or phelyl-C1-C4 alkyl; and R' is C1-C12 alkyl, C5-C8 cycloalkyl, phenyl, or phenyl-C1-C4 alkyl.