メトキシベンジルアルコールの自己縮合

抄録

Synthesis of anisole novolacs from methoxybenzyl alcohols is described. Sulfuric acid-catalyzed self-condensation of 2- or 4-methoxybenzyl alcohol (hydroxymethylanisole) in acetic acid afforded the corresponding anisole novolacs in good yields. The resulting novolacs were well-soluble in common organic solvents such as chloroform, tetrahydrofuran, and acetone but insoluble in methanol. The structures of the polymers were determined by ¹H & ¹³C NMR and IR analyses. From the ¹³C NMR analysis, these novolacs were clarified to have a linear structure. From the GPC analysis (by the polystyrene standard), the number average molecular weight was found to be about 2000. Under these polymerization conditions, only were obtained oligomers having such the molecuar weigt. This formaldehyde-free synthetic method is expecyed to give novolacs with controlled structures.