Patent ID: 10252966

Abstract:
A series of renewable bisphenols has been synthesized from creosol (2-methoxy-4-methylphenol) through stoichiometric condensation with short chain aldehydes. Creosol can be readily produced from lignin, potentially allowing for the large scale synthesis of bisphenol A replacements from abundant waste biomass. The renewable bisphenols were isolated in good yield and purity without resorting to solvent intense purification methods. Zinc acetate was shown to be selective catalyst for ortho-coupling of formaldehyde but was unreactive with more sterically demanding aldehydes. Dilute HCl and HBr solutions were shown to be effective catalysts for the selective coupling of aldehydes in the position meta to the phenol. Acid solutions could be recycled and used multiple times without decreases in activity or yield.