Abstract: A process for extracting phenol from a phenol-containing aqueous solution is disclosed. The process entails contacting the aqueous solution with an extracting agent that comprise a mixture of 60 to 99% of methyl isobutyl ketone, 1 to 40% of anisole and 0 to 20% of mesitylene.

Abstract: A system and method for producing bisphenol-A (BPA) is provided. In particular, the present invention provides a system and method of producing bisphenol-A wherein the phase equilibrium behavior of a feed solution to a crystallizer is selectively controlled and adjusted to provide desired results. This provides a powerful tool, whereby certain operating conditions or variables of the bisphenol-A process can be selectively adjusted to generate desired phase equilibrium behavior. In general, bisphenol-A is produced from a reaction of phenol and acetone, forming a product solution including phenol, bisphenol-A, isomers of bisphenol-A, unreacted reactants and by-products. A solvent is provided in the product solution and the amount and composition of solvent in the product solution are selectively controlled to adjust the composition of the product solution fed to a crystallizer such that either crystalline bisphenol-A, or an adduct of bisphenol-A and phenol is crystallized from the product solution.

Abstract: The purpose of the invention is to improve thermal stability of bisphenol compounds. The resolving means of the invention is to include a pyridine compound in bisphenol compounds.

Abstract: Provided is a process for producing a bisphenol A by continuously feeding phenol and acetone into a reactor unit having at least two reaction zones connected in series. In the process, an acidic cation-exchange resin partially neutralized with a sulfur-containing nitrogen compound in from 15 to 50% of the acid site thereof is used as the catalyst, and acetone having a methanol concentration of at most 3,000 ppm is separately fed into at least two reaction zones in the reactor unit. The life of the acidic cation-exchange resin catalyst used in the process is prolonged.

Abstract: Bisphenol-A (BPA) is efficiently produced from phenol and acetone via countercurrent and multistage contact with a solid acid catalyst in the presence of an agent that enhances the removal of water of reaction from the reaction zone. A preferred contacting device is a distillation column wherein the catalyst is contained within a distillation mass transfer structure. A preferred water removal agent is a C6 hydrocarbon, e.g., n-hexane. The column is configured with a reboiler, reflux condenser, and decanter as reflux drum. Phenol (in excess of the reaction stoichiometry) is fed to the column above the catalyst zone and acetone toward the bottom of the catalyst zone. Hexane is fed directly into the reboiler. Boilup is primarily hexane vapor which as it ascends the column removes water from the reaction zone in the vapor stream while the acetone is maintained within the reaction zone by dissolving in the descending phenol rich liquid stream.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the continuous production of bisphenol-A by continuously reacting phenol using an acid catalyst resin and continuously or essentially continuously removing water from the system. Continuous removal of water allows for increased catalytic activity of the resin and therefore improved productivity. Removal is facilitated by conducting the process in a carousel simulated moving bed device. Process efficiency is further enhanced by conducting the process in a device configured to have a combination of series, parallel or reverse flows which are optionally arranged so the process results in higher yield and lower impurities.

Abstract: The application relates to a process for producing high-purity bis(4-hydroxyaryl)alkanes from adducts of bis(4-hydroxyaryl)alkanes and aromatic hydroxy compounds, which are obtained by acid-catalysed reaction of the aromatic hydroxy compounds with ketones.

Abstract: A method for producing bisphenol includes introducing a phenol and a ketone into a fixed, supported catalytic bed reactor system in a downflow mode, reacting the phenol and the ketone to form a reaction mixture, and recovering the bisphenol isomer from the reaction mixture. The preferred bisphenol isomer is bisphenol A, or p,p?-bisphenol A, produced from the reaction of phenol and acetone. The reactor for producing the bisphenol A from the reaction of phenol and acetone includes an ion exchange resin catalyst disposed in a bed and packing randomly distributed throughout the ion exchange resin catalyst to improve heat transfer efficiency and reduce compression of the catalyst bed.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method for producing and using catalysts in the production of bisphenols, and in particular to a method for producing catalysts which contain poly-sulfur mercaptan promoters, and using these catalysts in the production of bisphenol-A and its derivatives.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing bisphenols which comprises reacting a carbonyl compound containing at least two carbon atoms with an aromatic compound, containing a hydroxyl group and at least one hydrogen atom bound to the aromatic ring, in the presence of a catalyst comprising a zeolite characterized by a spaciousness index equal to or higher than 8. The invention also relates to a method for the regeneration of the zeolitic catalyst used in this process and comprises subjecting the exhausted catalyst to hot treatment with a suitable aromatic compound containing at least one activating group, preferably the same hydroxylated aromatic compound used in the process for the preparation of bisphenols from which the exhausted catalyst derives.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method for producing and using catalysts in the production of bisphenols, and in particular to a method for producing catalysts which contain poly-sulfur mercaptan promoters, and using these catalysts in the production of bisphenol-A and its derivatives.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of bisphenols comprises introducing a combined feed stream comprising a feed stream and a recycle stream into a reactor system comprising at least one reactor containing a catalytic proportion of an acid catalyst and wherein the combined feed stream comprises a carbonyl compound and a stoichiometric excess of phenol; removing from the reactor system a reactor effluent; splitting the reactor effluent into a crystallization feed stream and an effluent recycle stream; extracting from said crystallization feed stream a bisphenol adduct, remainder comprising a mother liquor stream; dehydrating said mother liquor stream and said effluent recycle stream in a dehydrator wherein excess water and carbonyl compound are removed; and recycling the dehydrated mother liquor and the dehydrated effluent recycle stream back to the combined feed stream to effect improved production of p,p-bisphenol, along with increased reactor selectivity and reduced promoter quantities.

Abstract: A method for producing a bisphenol is disclosed. The method entails reacting in at least one first reactant selected from a first group consisting of phenol and substituted phenols with at least one second reactant selected from a second group consisting of ketones and diols, in the presence of hydrogen chloride catalyst and volatile sulphur compound having an SH bond as co-catalyst. The reaction product is a mixture that contains bisphenol, first reactant and second reactant. The catalyst and co-catalyst and water of reaction are separated by distillation. The method is characterized by the high reaction rates and selectivities.

Abstract: Use of a specific combination of catalysts for the first and second steps of the process for the conversion of CHP to BPA provides high yields of BPA and low impurity yields, without a requirement for the intermediate purification steps. In the first step, CHP is cleaved in the presence of an acid treated clay such as acid treated Montmorillonite clay to produce phenol and acetone. In the second step, the phenol and acetone produced is reacted, preferably without intermediate purification, in the presence of a cation exchange resin catalyst that includes a cation exchange resin and a mercaptan or mercaptoalkanoic acid promoter to produce BPA.

Abstract: Use of a specific combination of catalysts for the first and second steps of the process for the conversion of CHP to BPA provides high yields of BPA and ow impurity yields, without a requirement for the intermediate purification steps. In the first step, CHP is cleaved in the presence of a sulfated metal oxide catalyst such as sulfated Zirconia to produce phenol and acetone. In the second step, the phenol and acetone produced is reacted, preferably without intermediate purification, in the presence of a cation exchange resin catalyst that includes a cation exchange resin and a mercaptan or mercaptoalkanoic acid promoter to produce BPA.

Abstract: The present invention provides crystals of an adduct of a bisphenol and a phenol and methods of producing those crystals. The crystals may find use in preparing bisphenols.

Abstract: Provided are a catalyst of high activity and good heavy substance resistance and alcohol resistance for production of bisphenols, and a method for producing bisphenols with the catalyst. The catalyst is a sulfonic acid-type cation-exchange resin modified with (a) a pyridinealkanethiol and (b) an aminoalkanethiol and/or a thiazolidine; and the method comprises reacting a phenol and a ketone in the presence of the catalyst for producing bisphenols.

Abstract: Process and related apparatus are disclosed for economically producing a very high quality bisphenol A product by a multistage crystallization process utilizing a new cross-flow wash design whereby a high purity wash phenol stream is fed to every washing stage, optionally also in combination with a modified stream flow/recycle design which avoids increased by product production and yield losses otherwise expected from processing increased volumes of wash phenol.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing bisphenol A by subjecting phenol and acetone to condensation reaction in the presence of a catalyst composed of an acid type ion exchange resin which is modified in part with a sulfur-containing amine compound, wherein the ion exchange resin having a modification rate of 10 to less than 20 mol % is used for a methanol concentration in acetone of lower than 250 ppm by weight, and the ion exchange resin having a modification rate of 20 to 65 mol % is used for a methanol concentration in acetone of 250 to 8000 ppm by weight. The above process is capable of producing bisphenol A at high conversion and selectivity by suppressing deterioration of catalytic activity due to methanol as an impurity in acetone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing bisphenols which comprises reacting a carbonyl compound containing at least two carbon atoms with an aromatic compound, containing a hydroxyl group and at least one hydrogen atom bound to the aromatic ring, in the presence of a catalyst comprising a zeolite characterized by a spaciousness index equal to or higher than 8. The invention also relates to a method for the regeneration of the zeolitic catalyst used in this process and comprises subjecting the exhausted catalyst to hot treatment with a suitable aromatic compound containing at least one activating group, preferably the same hydroxylated aromatic compound used in the process for the preparation of bisphenols from which the exhausted catalyst derives.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of producing bisphenol A, in which bisphenol A is produced by condensation of phenol and acetone with the use of a cation exchange resin as a catalyst and a free mercaptan as a promoter, comprising feeding phenol and acetone to a multi-stage reactor in which at least two fixed bed-type adiabatic reactors packed with the cation exchange resin are arranged in series and a heat exchanger is provided at an inlet of each of the reactors, and controlling the temperature within each of the reactors so as not to exceed 90° C. With this method, elimination of sulfonic groups from the cation exchange resin as a catalyst can be suppressed, so that bisphenol A of high quality can be obtained, and the amount of the catalyst used can be reduced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an epoxy resin composition a cure article thereof, a novel epoxy resin used therein, a polyhydric phenol compound suited for used as an intermediate thereof, and a process for preparing the same. One of the objects to be achieved by the present invention is to exert the heat resistance, the moisture resistance, the dielectric performances and the flame-resistant effect required of electric or electronic materials such as semiconductor encapsulating materials and varnishes for circuit boards in the epoxy resin composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides mixtures containing bisphenol A, methods for the production thereof. The mixtures of the present invention may find use in the production of polymeric materials.

Abstract: Provided are a catalyst of high activity and good heavy substance resistance and alcohol resistance for production of bisphenols, and a method for producing bisphenols with the catalyst. The catalyst is a sulfonic acid-type cation-exchange resin modified with (a) a pyridinealkanethiol and (b) an aminoalkanethiol and/or a thiazolidine; and the method comprises reacting a phenol and a ketone in the presence of the catalyst for producing bisphenols.

Abstract: A commercial scale continuous process for the production of a bisphenol comprising reacting a phenol and a ketone in the presence of a modified ion exchange resin catalyst, wherein said modified ion exchange resin comprises a crosslinked gellular acid functionalized polystyrene resin modified by neutralization of with a mercapto promoter.

Abstract: The continuous process for manufacturing bisphenol A according to the invention, by reacting phenol and acetone in the presence of a strong acid catalyst and a co-catalyst, is carried out using as co-catalyst a dithio ether of general formula: 1

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing bisphenol A by subjecting phenol and acetone to condensation reaction in the presence of a catalyst composed of an acid type ion exchange resin which is modified in part with a sulfur-containing amine compound, wherein the ion exchange resin having a modification rate of 10 to less than 20 mol % is used for a methanol concentration in acetone of lower than 250 ppm by weight, and the ion exchange resin having a modification rate of 20 to 65 mol % is used for a methanol concentration in acetone of 250 to 8000 ppm by weight. The above process is capable of producing bisphenol A at high conversion and selectivity by suppressing deterioration of catalytic activity due to methanol as an impurity in acetone.

Abstract: In the production of bisphenol A by condensation of phenol and acetone with the use of a cation exchange resin as a catalyst and optionally a free mercaptan as a promoter, the degree of conversion of phenol is maintained by increasing the molar ration of acetone/phenol with the deterioration of the cation exchange resin; with this method, bisphenol A can be effectively produced with industrial advantage.

Abstract: A high productivity catalyst for bisphenol-A has been discovered which comprises strongly acidic cation-exchange resin spheres produced from a polystyrene/divinylbenzene (PS/DVB) copolymer sulfonated under conditions to introduce sulfone cross-linking. Surprisingly, the sulfone cross-linking improves the resistance to deformation but does not have a negative effect on the activity and selectivity of the catalyst in bisphenol-A production.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing bisphenol A by continuously supplying phenol to a first-stage reactor in a continuous multi-stage fixed-bed reaction system composed of at least two reactors each filled in with a cation exchange resin as a catalyst, and continuously supplying acetone separately to each of the reactors, characterized by arranging a reactor which is filled in with a fresh or regenerated cation exchange resin on the final stage in the case of replacing the most seriously deteriorated cation exchange resin in catalytic activity with the fresh or regenerated cation exchange resin, and operating the final stage reactor so that the ratio R of the feed rate of acetone to the consumption rate thereof falls within more than one to less than 3. The above process makes it possible to efficiently produce bisphenol A having favorable hue, while maintaining the acetone feed rate at a relatively low level.

Abstract: A process for the production of 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane (BPA) is disclosed. The process that entails reacting acetone with phenol in the presence of cross-linked sulfonated polystyrene resins is characterised in that BPA is separated from the reaction solution downstream of the reaction unit by means of a multi-stage vacuum distillation and a subsequent single- or multi-stage layer crystallisation. The by-product stream with accumulated by-products is returned downstream of the reaction unit.

Abstract: A method of producing a chemical reaction is provided. In the practice of one embodiment of the invention, the method includes the steps of providing a reaction vessel and reactants; placing at least one of the reactants in the reaction vessel; and allowing the reaction to proceed for a time interval. A volume increment of at least one of the reactants is withdrawn from the reaction vessel, and a volume increment of at least one of the reactants is added to the reaction vessel. The volume increment withdrawal/addition is repeated after successive time intervals until the reaction reaches a substantially steady state. In various alternative embodiments, the volume increment withdrawal can take place before, after, or contemporaneously with the volume increment addition.

Abstract: A method for producing bisphenol includes introducing a phenol and a ketone into a fixed, supported catalytic bed reactor system in a downflow mode, reacting the phenol and the ketone to form a reaction mixture, and recovering the bisphenol isomer from the reaction mixture. The preferred bisphenol isomer is bisphenol A, or p,p′-bisphenol A, produced from the reaction of phenol and acetone. The reactor for producing the bisphenol A from the reaction of phenol and acetone includes an ion exchange resin catalyst disposed in a bed and packing randomly distributed throughout the ion exchange resin catalyst to improve heat transfer efficiency and reduce compression of the catalyst bed.

Abstract: Method for producing multiple chemical reactions and for rapid screening of chemicals, catalysts, process conditions and the like is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing an array of reactor vessels and reactants; loading each reactor vessel with at least one reactant; and allowing the reactions to proceed for a predetermined time interval. A volume increment is withdrawn from each reactor vessel and a volume increment of at least one reactant is added to each reactor vessel in the array. The steps of volume increment withdrawal and addition are repeated after successive time intervals until the reactions reach a substantially steady state. The loading, withdrawal, and addition steps are performed by liquid or solid handling robots. In one embodiment, the volume increment withdrawal occurs before, after, or contemporaneously with the volume increment addition.

Abstract: Provided is a process for producing a bisphenol A by continuously feeding phenol and acetone into a reactor unit having at least two reaction zones connected in series. In the process, an acidic cation-exchange resin partially neutralized with a sulfur-containing nitrogen compound in from 15 to 50% of the acid site thereof is used as the catalyst, and acetone having a methanol concentration of at most 3,000 ppm is separately fed into at least two reaction zones in the reactor unit. The life of the acidic cation-exchange resin catalyst used in the process is prolonged.

Abstract: Provided is a production process for high quality bisphenol A which is reduced in a sulfonic acid-containing heavy matter contained in the product and which is improved in a hue. In an after-treating step for a reaction mixed solution obtained by condensing excess phenol with acetone in the presence of an acid catalyst, a filtering step by a filter is provided at least in one step between a step for dissolving an adduct of bisphenol A and phenol by using a phenol-containing solution and a step for crystallizing and separating the above adduct from this solution.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the continuous production of bisphenol-A by continuously reacting phenol using an acid catalyst resin and continuously or essentially continuously removing water from the system. Continuous removal of water allows for increased catalytic activity of the resin and therefore improved productivity. Removal is facilitated by conducting the process in a carousel simulated moving bed device. Process efficiency is further enhanced by conducting the process in a device configured to have a combination of series, parallel or reverse flows which are optionally arranged so the process results in higher yield and lower impurities.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method for producing and using catalysts in the production of bisphenols, and in particular to a method for producing catalysts which contain poly-sulfur mercaptan promoters, and using these catalysts in the production of bisphenol-A and its derivatives.

Abstract: A process for fluidizing bisphenol dust is disclosed. The process entails adding 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of water per 1 part by weight of bisphenol dust. Also disclosed is a process for preparing a bisphenol wherein the fluidized bisphenol dust according to the invention is introduced before, during or after reaction of a phenol with a carbonyl compound.

Abstract: Provided is a process for producing bisphenol A having a stable color tone at a high temperature and free from coloration, which comprises reacting phenol with acetone in the presence of an acid ion-exchange resin as a catalyst and an alkyl mercaptan as a cocatalyst, wherein a concentration of an organosulfur compound in a crystallization starting material obtained by conducting the reaction under conditions that a reaction temperature is between 60 and 100° C., a phenol to acetone molar ratio is between 6 and 13 and an acetone to alkyl mercaptan molar ratio is between 13 and 25, distilling off unreacted acetone, by-product water and the alkyl mercaptan as the cocatalyst and further distilling off excess phenol is measured, and maintained at 200 weight ppm or less.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of producing bisphenol A, in which bisphenol A is produced by condensation of phenol and acetone with the use of a cation exchange resin as a catalyst and a free mercaptan as a promoter, comprising feeding phenol and acetone to a multi-stage reactor in which at least two fixed bed-type adiabatic reactors packed with the cation exchange resin are arranged in series and a heat exchanger is provided at an inlet of each of the reactors, and controlling the temperature within each of the reactors so as not to exceed 90° C.

Abstract: A method for purifying 1,1-bis(4′-hydroxy-3′-methylphenyl)cyclohexane comprises dissolving said 1,1-bis(4′-hydroxy-3′-methylphenyl)cyclohexane in a first solvent consisting essentially of an alcohol to form a first solution; filtering said first solution; adding a second solvent consisting essentially of water to the filtered first solution to form a second solution, wherein said second solution comprises about 40 parts to about 95 parts of the first solvent per 100 parts of the combined weight of the first and second solvents; crystallizing said 1,1-bis(4′-hydroxy-3′-methylphenyl) cyclohexane from said second solution to form a first crystalline product; dissolving said first crystalline product in a third solvent to form a third solution, wherein the third solvent comprises an aromatic compound; and crystallizing said 1,1-bis(4′-hydroxy-3′-methylphenyl)cyclohexane from said third solution to produce a second crystalline product.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of bisphenols comprises introducing a combined feed stream comprising a feed stream and a recycle stream into a reactor system comprising at least one reactor containing a catalytic proportion of an acid catalyst and wherein the combined feed stream comprises a carbonyl compound and a stoichiometric excess of phenol; removing from the reactor system a reactor effluent; splitting the reactor effluent into a crystallization feed stream and an effluent recycle stream; extracting from said crystallization feed stream a bisphenol adduct, remainder comprising a mother liquor stream; dehydrating said mother liquor stream and said effluent recycle stream in a dehydrator wherein excess water and carbonyl compound are removed; and recycling the dehydrated mother liquor and the dehydrated effluent recycle stream back to the combined feed stream to effect improved production of p,p-bisphenol, along with increased reactor selectivity and reduced promoter quantities.

Abstract: A system and method for producing bisphenol-A (BPA) is provided. In particular, the present invention provides a system and method of producing bisphenol-A wherein the phase equilibrium behavior of a feed solution to a crystallizer is selectively controlled and adjusted to provide desired results. This provides a powerful tool, whereby certain operating conditions or variables of the bisphenol-A process can be selectively adjusted to generate desired phase equilibrium behavior. In general, bisphenol-A is produced from a reaction of phenol and acetone, forming a product solution including phenol, bisphenol-A, isomers of bisphenol-A, unreacted reactants and by-products. A solvent is provided in the product solution and the amount and composition of solvent in the product solution are selectively controlled to adjust the composition of the product solution fed to a crystallizer such that either crystalline bisphenol-A, or an adduct of bisphenol-A and phenol is crystallized from the product solution.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method for producing and using catalysts in the production of bisphenols, and in particular to a method for producing catalysts which contain poly-sulfur mercaptan promoters, and using these catalysts in the production of bisphenol-A and its derivatives.

Abstract: A method for producing bisphenol includes introducing a phenol and a ketone into a fixed, supported catalytic bed reactor system in a downflow mode, reacting the phenol and the ketone to form a reaction mixture, and recovering the bisphenol isomer from the reaction mixture. The preferred bisphenol isomer is bisphenol A, or p,p′-bisphenol A, produced from the reaction of phenol and acetone. The reactor for producing the bisphenol A from the reaction of phenol and acetone includes an ion exchange resin catalyst disposed in a bed and packing randomly distributed throughout the ion exchange resin catalyst to improve heat transfer efficiency and reduce compression of the catalyst bed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of producing bisphenol A, in which bisphenol A is produced by condensation of phenol and acetone with the use of a cation exchange resin as a catalyst and a free mercaptan as a promoter, comprising feeding phenol and acetone to a multi-stage reactor in which at least two fixed bed-type adiabatic reactors packed with the cation exchange resin are arranged in series and a heat exchanger is provided at an inlet of each of the reactors, and controlling the temperature within each of the reactors so as not to exceed 90° C. With this method, elimination of sulfonic groups from the cation exchange resin as a catalyst can be suppressed, so that bisphenol A of high quality can be obtained, and the amount of the catalyst used can be reduced.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing bisphenol A by subjecting phenol and acetone to condensation reaction in the presence of a catalyst composed of an acid type ion exchange resin which is modified in part with a sulfur-containing amine compound, wherein the ion exchange resin having a modification rate of 10 to less than 20 mol % is used for a methanol concentration in acetone of lower than 250 ppm by weight, and the ion exchange resin having a modification rate of 20 to 65 mol % is used for a methanol concentration in acetone of 250 to 8000 ppm by weight. The above process is capable of producing bisphenol A at high conversion and selectivity by suppressing deterioration of catalytic activity due to methanol as an impurity in acetone.

Abstract: The invention relates to fluidised bisphenol dust consisting of bisphenol dust and water, to a method for producing the same and to a method for producing a bisphenol, whereby fluidised bisphenol dust is added during production.

Abstract: A process for the commissioning of a process for the production of 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane is disclosed. The process that entails reacting phenol with acetone in the presence of sulfonated cross-linked polystyrene resins is characterized in that the commissioning takes place with an acetone concentration reduced below, and a phenol concentration increased above, that of the optimal sustained operation state, with a reduced quantitative throughput, and in that with temperature control, the reactant quantity and the acetone content of the reactor feed are subsequently increased until the sustained operating state is reached.