Polyorganosiloxane catalyst for use in producing bisphenol A

摘要

A polyorganosiloxane catalyst is provided having both a sulfonic acid group-containing hydrocarbon group and a mercapto group-containing hydrocarbon group, wherein the total amount of the sulfonic acid group-containing hydrocarbon group and the mercapto group-containing hydrocarbon group is within a range of 0.3 to 2.0 mu mol per unit surface area (1 m<2>) of the polyorganosiloxane catalyst. The catalyst of the invention is highly active for the reaction producing bisphenol A from acetone and phenol, and deterioration of the catalyst with time is most effectively suppressed. The catalyst can be supported on a porous molded material e.g. of silicic type.