PHENOL FORMALDEHYDE RESINS

摘要

A process for producing a phenol formaldehyde resin having a phenate core of high alkalinity and methylol end groups of lower alkalinity. The process includes forming a phenate by reacting a phenol with a phenate forming agent and reacting the phenate with formaldehyde under conditions which promote a methylolation reaction rather than a condensation polymerisation reaction. Favourable conditions include a molar ratio of formaldehyde to phenol in excess of 2:1 and a reaction temperature in a range from 50 to 70 DEG C. Phenate forming agents include sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide.