A one pot synthesis of a mixed macrocycle of resorcinol and pyrogallol is disclosed using an acidic catalyst by conventional as well as by microwave assisted methods. Compared with traditional synthesis, the microwave mediated tactic provides a simple, greener route and affords higher compound yields in a shorter period. Moreover, the catalyst can be efficiently reused without any loss in activity.

The present invention is directed to a method for preparing a final phenolic product from biomass comprising the steps of providing a furanic compound obtainable from biomass; reacting the furanic compound with a dienophile to obtain a phenolic compound; reacting the phenolic compound further to obtain the final phenolic product.

The present invention is directed to a method for preparing a final phenolic product from biomass comprising the steps of providing a furanic compound obtainable from biomass; reacting the furanic compound with a dienophile to obtain a phenolic compound; reacting the phenolic compound further to obtain the final phenolic product.

In an embodiment, a method of producing a bisphenol comprises reacting a phenolic compound with a reactant comprising one or both of an aldehyde and a ketone in the presence of a catalyst system and methanol to produce the bisphenol; wherein the methanol is present in an amount of 250 to 5,000 ppm based on the total weight of the reactant; wherein the catalyst system comprises an ion-exchange resin comprising a plurality of sulfonic acid sites; and 5 to 35 mol % of an attached promoter molecule based on the total moles of the sulfonic acid sites in the catalyst system; and wherein the attached promoter molecule comprises at least two thiol groups per attached promoter molecule.

In an embodiment, a method of producing a bisphenol comprises reacting a phenolic compound with a reactant comprising one or both of an aldehyde and a ketone in the presence of a catalyst system and methanol to produce the bisphenol; wherein the methanol is present in an amount of 250 to 5,000 ppm based on the total weight of the reactant; wherein the catalyst system comprises an ion-exchange resin comprising a plurality of sulfonic acid sites; and 5 to 35 mol % of an attached promoter molecule based on the total moles of the sulfonic acid sites in the catalyst system; and wherein the attached promoter molecule comprises at least two thiol groups per attached promoter molecule.

In an embodiment, a method of producing a bisphenol comprises reacting a phenolic compound with a reactant comprising one or both of an aldehyde and a ketone in the presence of a catalyst system and methanol to produce the bisphenol; wherein the methanol is present in an amount of 250 to 5,000 ppm based on the total weight of the reactant; wherein the catalyst system comprises an ion-exchange resin comprising a plurality of sulfonic acid sites; and 5 to 35 mol % of an attached promoter molecule based on the total moles of the sulfonic acid sites in the catalyst system; and wherein the attached promoter molecule comprises at least two thiol groups per attached promoter molecule.

A catalyst system useful in the production of bisphenol-A comprises (a) an acidic heterogeneous catalyst; (b) a first catalyst promoter comprising at least one organic sulfur-containing compound; and (c) a second catalyst promoter different from the first catalyst promoter and comprising at least one organic Brønsted acidic ionic compound.

A catalyst system useful in the production of bisphenol-A comprises (a) an acidic heterogeneous catalyst; (b) a first catalyst promoter comprising at least one organic sulfur-containing compound; and (c) a second catalyst promoter different from the first catalyst promoter and comprising at least one organic Brønsted acidic ionic compound.

We provide a novel and useful process for preparing triphenyl-butene derivative. A process for the preparation of a compound represented by Formula (IV):

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl,
characterized by reacting a compound represented by Formula (V):

##STR00002##

with a compound represented by Formula (VI):

##STR00003##

wherein R.sup.1 has the same meaning as defined above,
in the presence of 1) a polyvalent metal chloride, 2) a reducing agent and 3) an alkali metal salt and/or a substituted or unsubstituted phenol.

We provide a novel and useful process for preparing triphenyl-butene derivative. A process for the preparation of a compound represented by Formula (IV):

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl,
characterized by reacting a compound represented by Formula (V):

##STR00002##

with a compound represented by Formula (VI):

##STR00003##

wherein R.sup.1 has the same meaning as defined above,
in the presence of 1) a polyvalent metal chloride, 2) a reducing agent and 3) an alkali metal salt and/or a substituted or unsubstituted phenol.