Determining Factors for the Product Para/Ortho Ratio and Reaction Rate in the Formation of (Hydroxymethyl)phenols from Phenol and Formaldehyde

Article abstract of DOI:10.1246/bcsj.61.2079

Formations of 2- and 4-(hydroxymethyl)phenols from phenol and formaldehyde in aqueous alkaline solutions were kinetically investigated by the use of HPLC.The para/ortho ratio for the products sigmoidally increased with increasing concentration of sodium hydroxide, whereas the total yield of the (hydroxymethyl)phenols showed a steep maximum at the charged molar ratio unity of sodium hydroxide to phenol.Use of lithium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide, in place of sodium hydroxide, as alkaline catalysts results in almost the same para/ortho ratios.The addition of potassium chloride and magnesium sulfate decreased both the para/ortho ratio and the yield.These results indicate that the reactions proceed via an electrophilic attack of formaldehyde, which is free from the adduct formation with hydroxide ion, at phenolate ion.Electrostatic interactions between the phenoxide oxygen atom of the phenol and the incoming hydroxymethyl residues in the transition state exhibit a predominant role in the determination of the para/ortho ratio.