Aromatic polyhydroxy compounds and process for the preparation thereof

U.S. Patent Number: 5382710

Abstract: The invention involves aromatic polyhydroxy compounds, including triaromatic bisphenols and tris-1,1,1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)] toluenes, and a process for the preparation thereof by reacting a phenolic compound, e.g. phenol, with a suitable halo-compound, for instance 1,1-dichloroethylbenzene, 1-chlorostyrene, or mixtures thereof. The reaction may be conducted in the presence or absence of a solvent; an excess of the phenolic compound can serve as the solvent. The product is conveniently recovered by removing the by-product HCl excess phenolic compound, excess solvent and cooling. Yields of bis-1,1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-phenylethane which are greater than 90% of theoretical have been obtained by the reaction of phenol and 1,1-dichloroethylbenzene, and a large portion of the yield is para isomer. Suitable halo-compounds include aromatic dihalo-compounds having at least one aliphatic substituent having two alpha-halogen atoms and at least one beta halogen atom, halo-styrenes having structures corresponding to such aromatic dihalo-compounds except that an alpha-halogen atom and a beta hydrogen atom are removed and there is a double bond between the alpha and beta carbon atoms, trihalotoluenes, and dihalocyanotoluenes.

Inventors: Walters; Marlin E. (West Columbia, TX), Richey; W. Frank (Lake Jackson, TX), Tasset; Emmett L. (Lake Jackson, TX)

Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company (Midland, MI)

Application Number: 07/922,450

Issued: 1995-01-17

Expired: 2007-01-17

Classes: 568/720 ; 528/176; 528/196; 528/98; 568/718; 568/722; 568/723

Field of search: 568/718,722,723,720 528/98,176,196

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