Abstract: Polymers of 4-vinylphenol are made by the acid catalyzed transesterification of polymers of 4-acetoxystyrene in an alcohol. The 4-vinylphenol polymers are useful as epoxy resins curing agents and as the phenolic base for epoxy resin per se.

Abstract: A new class of resins is provided which are copolymers of monomers comprising p-acetoxystyrene and any of certain designated polyunsaturated comonomers, viz., (1) a polyunsaturated carboxylic acid such as an alkyl ester of a carboxylic acid containing a conjugated diene group, e.g., a dialkyl muconate or an alkyl sorbate, or an allyl ester of a monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, e.g., diallyl maleate; (2) a conjugated diene hydrocarbon such as 2,5-dimethyl-2,4-hexadiene; or (3) a halogen-substituted conjugated diene hydrocarbon. One or more additional monoethylenically or polyethylenically unsaturated monomers, e.g. styrene, may be used in the preparation of the copolymer. The preferred copolymers are of p-acetoxystyrene and dimethyl muconate or diethyl muconate. The copolymer may be selectively hydrolyzed to corresponding copolymers of p-vinylphenol.

Abstract: The production of a 4-lower alkyl or 4-phenyl ring-substituted phenyl lower alkyl ketone, e.g. 4-methylacetophenone, 4-ethylacetophenone or 4-phenylacetophenone, is carried out by reacting a lower alkyl- or phenyl-substituted benzene, e.g. toluene, ethylbenzene, or biphenyl, with a lower alkanoic acid, e.g. acetic acid, at an elevated temperature in the presence of a medium pore, pentasil-type molecular sieve, e.g. an H-ZSM-5 zeolite, a silicalite or an AMS-1B borosilicate, as catalyst.

Abstract: The production of a 2-lower alkyl phenol, e.g., 2-cresol or 2-ethylphenol, is carried out by transalkylation of a lower alkyl phenyl ether, e.g. anisole or phenetole, at an elevated temperature in the presence of a medium pore, pentasil-type molecular sieve, e.g. an H-ZSM-5 zeolite, a silicalite or an AMS-1B borosilicate, as catalyst.

Abstract: The production of a 1-hydroxy-2-lower alkoxyalkyl benzene, e.g. 2-(1'-methoxyethyl) phenol, is carried out by reacting phenol with a lower acetal or ketal, e.g., 1,1-dimethoxyethane at an elevated temperature in the presence of an H-ZSM-5 zeolite, as catalyst.

Abstract: The production of 2-hydroxyphenyl lower alkyl ketones, e.g. 2-hydroxyacetophenone, by reaction of phenol and a lower alkanoic acid, e.g. acetic acid, is carried out by contacting the phenol and acid at an elevated temperature with a ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst having the formula:0.9.+-.0.2M.sub.2/n O:w.sub.2 O.sub.3 :5-100yO.sub.2 :zH.sub.2 Owherein M is a cation, n is the valence of said cation, w is selected from the group consisting of aluminum and gallium, Y is selected from the group consisting of silicon and germanium, and z is from 0 to 40, and in which at least about 80% of the cations are replaced with hydrogen ions. Preferably the catalyst has the formula:0.9.+-.0.2M.sub.2/n O:Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 :5-100SiO.sub.2 :zH.sub.2 Oand M is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal cations and tetraalkylammonium cations, the alkyl groups of which preferably contain 2-5 carbon atoms.