Patent GB-298968-A (GB)
Title: Process for the manufacture of new artificial products
IPC: C08H8/00
Filed: 1927-11-28
Abstract: 298,968. Karpati, J., and Hubsch, M. G. Oct. 18, 1927, [Convention date]. Void [Published under Sect. 91 of the Acts]. Resinous phenol condensation products.- Artificial products resembling natural asphalt, bitumen, mineral wax, resins, &c. are obtained by a reaction between phenols in general, or compounds containing one or more phenolic hydroxy groups, and finely-divided cellulosic material. The phenols may be either crude or refined and obtained from any source, while the cellulosic materials include wood-sawdust, ground straw, empty maize spikes, dried leaves and other portions of plants. The reaction is exothermic and is favourably influenced by the usual contact agents, for example, and reacting substances, but the addition of these, bodies may be avoided by the use of sufficiently high pressure. The presence of water and of hydrocarbons also has no inhibitive effect on the reaction, and in certain cases, when products of low melting point, low viscosity and high elasticity are required, the presence of hydrocarbons is advantageous. For example, " oils rich in creosote " give suitable products. The reacting velocity varies chiefly with the nature of the contact agent, and with the temperature, which may vary within wide limits; it should be arranged that external heating is necessary only to start the reaction, the heat of reaction then sufficing to carry out the reaction. Water, together with some quantities of two boiling benzine-like bodies are produced during the reaction, and may be collected separately if desired. The products obtained may be solids of low melting point, or even liquids, easily soluble in organic solvents, or may be brittle solids, difficultly soluble or insoluble in. the usual solvents, depending upon the reaction conditions. In general, the products obtained are dark coloured, insoluble in water, readily soluble in the usual organic solvents and posssess certain properties similar to the well-known formaldehyde resins and other phenol-aldehyde condensation products, for example, liquid and soluble products may be converted by simple heating either gradually or suddenly into the infusible and insoluble condition. All the reaction conditions and processes, also accelerators,. which are known in the Bakelite industry, may be employed in the present invention. In examples (1) crude brown coal tar creosote and 3 per cent of concentrated sulphuric acid are placed in an acid-proof vessel, fitted with stirrers and heating and cooling devices, and the mixture is heated to 110‹ C. Air dried sawdust, passed through a 1.5 mm. sieve, is slowly added In regulated portions, so that the temperature is kept between 110‹-120‹ C. without external heating. The aqueous and light hydrocarbon vapours produced are condensed and collected separately. The reaction is finished in two to three hours, and the properties of the product obtained may be modified by subsequent heat treatment or by admixture with a previously obtained condensation product, tar oil or natural products. (2) Products of high melting point are obtained by varying the proportion of the reactants in the previous example, using hydrochloric acid as an accelerator, and carrying out the reaction in a similar manner. The water-soluble acids are completely washed out of the reaction product which is then suitably treated to obtain a product of the required melting point. These products may replace the natural bodies enumerated and also artificial pitches in road-making, roofcoverings, insulation from moisture, manufacture of lacquers and the like.