Process for the preparation of bisphenols using new co-catalysts

摘要

The production of bis-phenols of formula (I) comprises reacting phenols of formula (II) with ketones of formula (III), in which R<1>, R<2> = hydrogen, halogen, 1-8C alkyl, 5-6C cycloalkyl, 6-10C aryl or 7-12C aralkyl; m = 4-7; R<3>, R<4> = hydrogen or 1-6C alkyl (same or different for each X, but both = alkyl on at least one X); X = carbon. The reaction is carried out in the presence of (A) a mineral acid catalyst and (B) a cocatalyst consisting of a sulphonic acid ion exchange resin based on crosslinked polystyrene (S-XPS), in which at least 10% of the acid groups are neutralised before use with mercaptoamines and/or thiazolidines. The amt. of (B) is such that the mercapto groups and ketone (III) are in a mole ratio of at least 1:10.