Linear phenol–formaldehyde polymers. Synthesis of partially substituted polymers

Abstract

Abstract Reaction of 2,6‐bis‐(chloromethyl)‐4‐chlorophenol with p ‐cresol provided a convenient synthesis of 2,6‐bis‐(2‐hydroxy‐5‐methylbenzyl)‐4‐chlorophenol. Condensation of formaldehyde with this trimer alone and in the presence of controlled amounts of p ‐cresol made possible the synthesis of linear p ‐cresol– p ‐chlorophenol–formaldehyde polymers having 1,2, and 4 p ‐chloro substituents per 12 phenolic residues. Treatment with sodium in liquid ammonia gave the corresponding dehalogenated polymers. Crosslinking of the latter with hexamethylenetetramine was studied. Both series of polymers were characterized by infrared spectra.