GB858780A - Process for producing crystalline trimethylolphenol - Google Patents

Abstract

A process for producing crystalline 2, 4, 6-trimethylolphenol comprises forming a mixture of an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt of 2, 4, 6-trimethylolphenol with an inert organic liquid in which the trimethylolphenol is substantially soluble, in an amount of less than 5 ml. per gram of the salt, contacting the mixture, which is either anhydrous or contains water in an amount up to 1 mol of excess water per mol of trimethylol phenate, with an acidic material which forms a neutral and substantially insoluble salt with the cation of the alkali or alkaline earth metal salt of the 2, 4, 6-trimethylolphenol, removing the insoluble salt formed and recovering crystalline 2, 4, 6-trimethylolphenol from the organic liquid. The salts preferably used are the sodium, calcium or barium salts which may be dissolved in a lower alkanol, ketone or ester, using preferably 0,75-3 mols per gram of salt and neutralised to pH 5 to 7 at 15-45 DEG C. with an acid such as HCl, H2SO4, CO2, H3CO3, SO3, oxalic acid or the acid form of a solid cation exchange resin. The reaction is carried out so that there is no more than 1 mol of water present in excess of that liberated by the neutralisation or required to form the acid of an acid anhydride and the crystalline product may be recovered by removing the organic liquid at below 50 DEG C. and recrystallising or by precipitating from the organic liquid by addition of a second liquid in which the product is insoluble. Specification 822,887 is referred to.