GB850252A - Polyallylation and polymethallylation of phenols - Google Patents

Abstract

In a process for the preparation of allyl or methallyl derivatives of phenols an alkali metal derivative of a phenol is reacted under anhydrous conditions with an allyl or methallyl halide in the presence of a suspension of an alkali-metal hydroxide in a non-polar solvent, the molar ratio of allyl or methallyl halide to phenol being at least 2 to 1. In a modification of the process the reaction product is reacted in the presence of a polar solvent further with an allyl or methallyl halide to form an allyl or methallyl ether of an allyl or methallyl phenol. The etherification may be carried out in the presence of a non-polar or polar solvent, e.g. n-propanol. Allyl and methallyl chlorides are specified as starting materials Phenolic starting materials specified include phenol, o-, m- and pcresols and mixed cresols. Non-polar solvents mentioned include aromatic solvents, e.g. toluene or xylene. Allyl or methallyl ether fixing groups in the products may be rearranged to nuclear substituents and the products further etherified. Products containing three allyl or methallyl nuclear substituents may be produced optionally with a free hydroxy group or an allyloxy or methallyloxy group. In examples phenol is reacted with allyl or methallyl chloride and o- and pcresol are reacted with allyl chloride to obtain products containing varying proportions of allyl or methallyl groups and with the hydroxyl groups of the phenols largely etherified. The products may be polymerized to di- and other polyphenol which may be converted to glycidyl ethers or oxydized to hydroxy acids.