Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a film forming, fractionated novolak resin, by:a) condensing formaldehyde with one or more phenolic compounds, and thereby producing a novolak resin;b) adding a photoresist solvent, and optionally a water-soluble organic polar solvent;c) feeding the mixture into a liquid/liquid centrifuge and feeding a C.sub.5 -C.sub.8 alkane, water or aromatic hydrocarbon solvent into the liquid/liquid centrifuge at a ratio of optional water-soluble organic polar solvent and photoresist solvent to C.sub.5 -C.sub.8 alkane, water or aromatic solvent, of from 5:1 to 0.5:1;d) rotating the liquid/liquid centrifuge containing the mixture at a speed of at least 500 rpm and thereby separating the mixture into two phases, collecting the two phases;e) optionally separating the lighter phase (L) into two second phases;f) removing residual C.sub.5 -C.sub.

Abstract: A catalyst precursor comprising a magnesium compound or material, optionally also containing other metal compounds, is activated for use by calcining at an elevated temperature in the presence of air or nitrogen, or under vacuum. The active catalyst which results may be used in processes for the ortho-alkylation of phenolic compounds, with good yields of and selectivity to the ortho-alkylated end product.

Abstract: A catalyst precursor prepared by precipitating manganese hydroxide from caustic solution and then mixing the precipitate with a magnesium-containing material is described. The catalyst precursor can be calcined to an active form, and the resulting catalyst can be used to effect or facilitate the ortho-alkylation of phenolic compounds in vapor phase reactions. Superiority of performance is demonstrated with respect to a catalyst derived from a precursor in which manganese hydroxide is precipitated (sometimes referred to as "co-precipitation") in the presence of a magnesium compound, rather than formed separately.

Abstract: A process for making ortho-alkylated phenols by reacting in the vapor phase an alkyl alcohol and a phenolic compound in the presence of an alkylation catalyst, said catalyst provided by a calcination residue of mixture comprising a magnesium-containing material and manganese hydroxide formed as a precipitate by bringing together an aqueous solution of a manganese salt and an aqueous solution of ammonium hydroxide in the presence of said magnesium-containing material.

Abstract: Disclosed are a catalyst comprising a magnesium-containing moiety, a method for preparing the catalyst, and a process for the vapor phase ortho-alkylation of phenols in the presence of the catalyst.