A method for the manufacture of a metal salt of a hydroxy-substituted aromatic compound comprises reacting a hydroxy-substituted aromatic compound with a base comprising a metal cation in an aqueous medium to provide a mixture comprising water and a metal salt of the hydroxy-substituted aromatic compound; contacting the mixture with a substantially water-immiscible solvent at a temperature greater than the boiling point of water at a prevailing pressure; introducing an optionally substituted C1-6 aliphatic alcohol; and removing water and the alcohol to provide a slurry comprising the metal salt of the hydroxy-substituted aromatic compound and the water-immiscible solvent.

The invention provides an isolated material, or a phenolate form of at least one phenol-containing active material, wherein the isolated material comprises one or more phenolate species and a counter ion (a cation) in the form of a metal salt, a phosphonium or an ammonium.

The invention provides an isolated material, or a phenolate form of at least one phenol-containing active material, wherein the isolated material comprises one or more phenolate species and a counter ion (a cation) in the form of a metal salt, a phosphonium or an ammonium.