Preparation of ethers of diphenols

US5288923A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• BAYER HEALTHCARE LLC · DE

Inventors

• Gerhard Fennhoff · Willich, DE
• Wolfgang Jacob · Moers, DE
• Manfred Ehlert · Dormagen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 29, 1993
• Grant date: Feb 22, 1994
• Expiry date: Jan 29, 2013

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C41/16
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process for the preparation of hydroxyalkyl ethers of diphenols is disclosed. Accordingly, aromatic polycarbonate resin is reacted with alkylene diol in the presence of a basic catalyst, at temperatures of 150.degree. to 250.degree. C. at a molar ratio of 514 10 moles of alkylene diol to 1 mole of aromatic carbonate structural units to produce the corresponding hydroxyalkyl ether. Additional embodiments entail optional reactions of the aromatic polycarbonate with cyclic alkylene carbonate and with open chain monomeric bis-(hydroxyalkyl)-carbonate. Aromatic polycarbonate waste may thus be advantageously recycled.