KINETICS OF THE SYNTHESIS OF BISPHENOL-A

The kinetics of the synthesis of bisphenol A from acetone and phenol on an ion-exchange catalyst promoted by partial neutralization of acid groups with 2-mercaptoethyl amine was investigated in the temperature range 50-85 degree C. A Langmuir-Hishelwood type rate equation was used for treatment of the experimental data. The rate constant and the adsorption coefficient of water as the reaction product are temperature dependent, while the adsorption coefficient of phenol and acetone can be regarded as constants within the given range of temperatures. The effect of adsorption of bisphenol A need not be included in the kinetic equation. The effect of the reverse reaction is apparent at temperatures higher than 70 degree C. The equation thus obtained may be used in a description of integral data up to high conversions.