Abstract: A curing or bridging composition is useful for effecting the crosslinking of phenolic resoles and the formation of novolaks. The composition comprises from 1% to 99% by weight of partially or totally sulfonated calixarenes and from 99% to 1% of partially or totally sulfonated linear phenolic oligomers, optionally together with partially or totally sulfonated phenol. To the contrary of conventional catalysts for the crosslinking of resoles and the formation of novolaks, the composition is chemically incorporated into the molecular structure of the final products; especially the sulfonated calixarenes confer new, surprisingly improved properties to phenolic resins and novolaks and sensibly accelerate the condensation reactions.

Abstract: A process for recovering volatile, generally bad smelling low molecular, low polar substances called VLC, contained in gas streams, by capturing the same by in contacting the gaseous environment with a calixarene or a resorcinol calixarene present in the form of particles, granules, as a coating or impregnation on or in a solid support, or as an organic or aqueous solution.

Abstract: Para sulfonated calixarenes are obtained in a one-step reaction directly from para blocked calixarenes by treating same with a sulfonating agent, such as concentrated sulfuric acid, to perform an ipso-electrophilic substitution.

Abstract: A phenolic foam having exceptional absorption capacities for pollutants such as hydrocarbons and other substances is described. The foam is hydrophobic and is capable of absorbing such substances in amounts up to 72 times its own weight. It is the reaction product of a resol and a cross-linking agent made of linear and/or cyclic, partially or completely sulphonated, phenolic oligomers, in the presence a surfactant and a swelling agent, and, optionally, of a coloring agent and stabilizers. A method for making the foam, an installation for implementing the method and a use of said foam are also described.