A Kinetic Model of Alkali Catalyzed Phenol-furfural Novalac Resinification

In this paper, experimental studies were carried out on the preparation of phenol-furfural novalac resins in the presence of potassium carbonate catalyst with a wide range of furfural to phenol (F/P) mole ratios in the feed. A reaction scheme, applicable to alkali catalyzed phenol-furfural novalac resins, was postulated. A model was developed by the lumping of the different reactivities of the sites of phenol into their functionalities. The effects of the mole ratio of the reactants and the functionality of the phenol on the rate constant were examined.