| Abstract: | The kinetics of the reaction of p-cresol with formaldehyde in relation to the functionality of p-cresol using NaOH as catalyst has been studied at temperatures of (65 ± 0.05)°C, (70 ± 0.05)°C, (75 ± 0.05)°C, and (80 ± 0.05)°C. The pH maintained was 7.0, 8.0, 9.0, 9.4, and 10.0. The reaction follows a second-order rate law. The rate was found to increase with increase in pH. The stepwise rate constants (k1 and k2) for the formation of monomethylol-p-cresol and dimethylol-p-cresol, respectively, were calculated from the overall rate constant k. The values of Arrhenius parameters and the entropy of activation for the overall as well as the stepwise reactions were calculated. The experimental and calculated values of k at pH 10.0 and temperatures 65, 70, 75, and 80°C were found to agree well within experimental errors. A mechanism conforming to the energies and entropies of activation of the reaction is suggested. |
