Patent ID: 6399740
Filing Date: 2002-06-04
Classification: C08G

Abstract:
A process of producing an aralkylated phenol composition with minimized formation of (i) non-functional homo-polymerized styrenic components and (ii) mono-functional phenol degradation by-products, the process comprising:preparing a reaction mixture of at least one styrenic monomer and a phenolic monomer at a molar ratio of moles of total styrenic reactant to moles of phenolic monomer of from 0.5 to 2.1; adding an aralkylation catalyst to the reaction mixture to initiate a reaction between the phenolic monomer and the at least one styrenic monomer, wherein said aralkylation catalyst is added in an amount less than 0.1 mole percent based on the total number of moles of catalyst and phenolic monomer; and maintaining said reaction mixture at a reaction temperature not exceeding 140Â° C. for a time sufficient to convert at least a portion of said phenolic monomer to said aralkylated phenol, wherein said aralkylated phenol composition so-produced comprises no more than 10% by weight combined of (i) said non-functional homo-polymerized styrenic components and (ii) said mono-functional phenol degradation by-products.