Phenol → Bisphenol S

Participants

Reaction Steps

470.6 g (5.0 moles) of phenol and 6.2 g (0.1 mole) of boric acid were placed in a glass flask having a capacity of 2 liters. While the mixture was heated to 180°-186° C., 102.2 g (1.0 mole) of 96% sulfuric acid were added dropwise, after which the water of reaction was removed at 180°-186° C. The phenol was then distilled off over a period of 2 hours at a temperature of from 160° to 200° C. Analysis of the crude product revealed the following composition: 3% phenol, 1% isomeric sulfone and 97% bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) sulfone. Further purification was conducted as described in Example 1. There were obtained 205 g (0.82 mole; yield 82%) of bis(4-hydroxylphenyl) sulfone showing a purity of >99%.

Provenance & Evidence