Synthesis and characterisation of 9,9‐bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐fluorene catalysed by cation exchanger

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to synthesise high‐purity 9,9‐bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐fluorene (BHPF).Design/methodology/approach9,9‐bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐fluorene was prepared from phenol and fluorenone using cationic ion‐exchange resin as the condensation catalyst. The purity and chemical structure of the resulting 9,9‐bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐fluorene were characterised by elemental analysis, MS, HPLC, FTIR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopy, etc.FindingsThe purity and weight yield of 9,9‐bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐fluorene reached up to 99.1 and 81.3 per cent, respectively, under the optimal reaction condition, that is, the molar ratio of phenol to fluorenone was 8‐1, the reaction temperature was 100°C, reaction time was 10 h, the mass percentage of cation exchanger accounting for the total reactants was 15 per cent and the co‐catalyst quantity was 0.2 ml.Originality/valueThe method for preparation was novel and could find numerous applications as monomer or modifier for heat‐resistant adhesives, high‐temperature coatings and matrix resin for advanced composites, etc.