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.

In an embodiment, a method of recovering acetone comprises separating a bisphenol A stream into a bisphenol A product stream and an extraction stream comprising unreacted acetone; recovering the unreacted acetone in a recovery section of the bisphenol A production facility and forming a bisphenol A plant acetone recovery stream comprising methanol and a recovered acetone; introducing the bisphenol A plant acetone recovery stream to a phenol purification plant; and purifying the bisphenol A plant acetone recovery stream in the phenol purification plant to form an acetone product stream. The acetone product stream can comprise a reduced amount of methanol as compared to the bisphenol A plant acetone recovery stream.

In an embodiment, a method of recovering acetone comprises separating a bisphenol A stream into a bisphenol A product stream and an extraction stream comprising unreacted acetone; recovering the unreacted acetone in a recovery section of the bisphenol A production facility and forming a bisphenol A plant acetone recovery stream comprising methanol and a recovered acetone; introducing the bisphenol A plant acetone recovery stream to a phenol purification plant; and purifying the bisphenol A plant acetone recovery stream in the phenol purification plant to form an acetone product stream. The acetone product stream can comprise a reduced amount of methanol as compared to the bisphenol A plant acetone recovery stream.

Disclosed herein are compositions and methods of making phenolic compounds, and resins comprising these phenolic compounds. The compounds include multifunctional epoxies, amino glycidyl derivatives, and multi-functional amines prepared from hydroxymethyl derivatives of phenols and bisphenols

In an embodiment, a method for producing an aryl alkyl carbonate can comprise: reacting methanol with a diaryl carbonate in the presence of a catalyst to form a mixture comprising an aryl alkyl carbonate and a hydroxy compound, wherein the methanol is in an acetone monomer mixture comprising acetone and at least one of diaryl carbonate and dihydroxy compound; separating the aryl alkyl carbonate from the mixture.

In an embodiment, a method for producing an aryl alkyl carbonate can comprise: reacting methanol with a diaryl carbonate in the presence of a catalyst to form a mixture comprising an aryl alkyl carbonate and a hydroxy compound, wherein the methanol is in an acetone monomer mixture comprising acetone and at least one of diaryl carbonate and dihydroxy compound; separating the aryl alkyl carbonate from the mixture.

A method for the manufacture of a sulfonated phenol for use as a cumene hydroperoxide decomposition catalyst can comprise: combining phenol and a sulfonating agent at a first temperature that is 1° C. to 15° C. higher than a melting temperature of the phenol, to form a reaction mixture at the first temperature; reducing the first temperature of the reaction mixture to a second temperature that is 10 to 40° C. lower than the first temperature; and forming the sulfonated phenol at the second temperature.

A method for the manufacture of a sulfonated phenol for use as a cumene hydroperoxide decomposition catalyst can comprise: combining phenol and a sulfonating agent at a first temperature that is 1° C. to 15° C. higher than a melting temperature of the phenol, to form a reaction mixture at the first temperature; reducing the first temperature of the reaction mixture to a second temperature that is 10 to 40° C. lower than the first temperature; and forming the sulfonated phenol at the second temperature.

A bisphenol composition including a specific amount of aromatic alcohol sulfonate, and a simple method of producing it are provided. Also provided is a method of producing a polycarbonate resin in which, by using the bisphenol composition including a specific amount of aromatic alcohol sulfonate, melt polymerization reaction can be efficiently allowed to proceed to produce a polycarbonate resin having an excellent color tone. A bisphenol composition including an aromatic alcohol sulfonate at not less than 0.1 ppb by mass with respect to a bisphenol. A method of producing a bisphenol composition, including reacting a ketone or an aldehyde with an aromatic alcohol in the presence of sulfuric acid to produce a bisphenol composition. A method of producing a polycarbonate resin, including producing a polycarbonate resin using the bisphenol composition. A polycarbonate resin including a specific amount of aromatic alcohol sulfonate.

A bisphenol composition including a specific amount of aromatic alcohol sulfonate, and a simple method of producing it are provided. Also provided is a method of producing a polycarbonate resin in which, by using the bisphenol composition including a specific amount of aromatic alcohol sulfonate, melt polymerization reaction can be efficiently allowed to proceed to produce a polycarbonate resin having an excellent color tone. A bisphenol composition including an aromatic alcohol sulfonate at not less than 0.1 ppb by mass with respect to a bisphenol. A method of producing a bisphenol composition, including reacting a ketone or an aldehyde with an aromatic alcohol in the presence of sulfuric acid to produce a bisphenol composition. A method of producing a polycarbonate resin, including producing a polycarbonate resin using the bisphenol composition. A polycarbonate resin including a specific amount of aromatic alcohol sulfonate.