Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
O
O
HO
OH
O
OH
OH
O
pH > 7
O
O
O
O
O
OH
pH > 7
OH
OH
O
O
HO
OH
OH
When an aqueous reaction of phenol and formaldehyde, catalyzed by sodium hydroxide, is carried
out at 30
C for 5 h, the products are [
147
]:
2,4,6-trimethylolphenol
37%
2,4-dimethylolphenol
24%
2,6-dimethylolphenol
7%
p
-methylolphenol
17%
o
-methylolphenol
12%
The remaining 3% is unreacted phenol. As the reaction continues, methylolphenols condense with
each other to form methylene bridges:
O
O
O
OH
OH
2
O
OH
O
