Phenol → Bisphenol S

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

102 g (1.0 mole) of 96% sulfuric acid and 546 g (6.0 moles) of phenol were simultaneously fed dropwise over a period of 30 minutes to a vertical glass tube (length 80 cm, diameter 4 cm) heated at 180° C. and packed with glass balls (diameter 4 mm). The residence time of the reaction mixture in the packed column was about 1 to 3 minutes. The effluent reaction mixture was collected and excess phenol was distilled off. The residue was dissolved in 5-10% sodium hydroxide solution and bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) sulfone was then precipitated therefrom by the addition of sulfuric acid to a pH of from 6.5 to 7.0. After filtration and drying, there were obtained 145 g (58%) of bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) sulfone 98.5% pure.

Provenance & Evidence