Page 145 - Chemical and process design handbook

Speight_Part II_B 11/7/01 3:11 PM Page 2.86

BISPHENOL A

Bisphenol A is made by reacting phenol with acetone in the presence of an
o
acid catalyst (Fig. 1). The temperature of the reaction is maintained at 50 C
o
(120 F) for about 8 to 12 hours. A slurry of bisphenol A is formed, which
is neutralized and distilled to remove excess phenol.
2C H OH + CH COCH → p–HOC H C(CH ) C H OH
6 5 3 3 6 4 3 2 6 4
Bisphenol A is used in the production of epoxy resins and polycarbon-
ate resins.

Phenol

Acetone recycle

Acetone

Crystallization
and solid-liquid
Distillation Distillation Distillation Distillation separator
Reactor Bisphenol A

Water Heavy
ends

Phenol recycle

FIGURE 1 Manufacture of Bisphenol A.

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