| Abstract: | The condensation reaction of phenol with acetone in an acidic medium to produce bisphenol A has been studied with and without the use of promoters. The promoters used were thioglycollic acid, ethyl mercaptan, butyl mercaptan and hexyl mercaptan. The kinetic study of the reaction shows a first order dependence of the reaction rate individually on phenol and on acetone. The mercaptans greatly enhance the reaction rate whereas thioglycollic acid appears to be only a moderate promoter. The rate-controlling step of the reaction has been found to be the formation of the intermediate carbinol, 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propan-2-ol. |
