Robust Promoter Catalyst System
A modified ion exchange resin catalyst having an attached dimethyl thiazolidine promoter is disclosed. Also disclosed is a process for catalyzing condensation reactions between phenols and ketones, wherein reactants are contacted with a modified ion exchange resin catalyst having an attached dimethyl thiazolidine promoter. Also disclosed is a process for catalyzing condensation reactions between phenols and ketones that does not utilize a bulk promoter.
1 . A catalyst system comprising a cross-linked, sulfonated ion exchange resin catalyst and a dimethyl thiazolidine promoter.
2 . The catalyst system of claim 1 , wherein the cross-linked, sulfonated ion exchange resin catalyst comprises a plurality of sulfonic acid groups and has a degree of cross-linking of from about 1% to about 4%.
3 . The catalyst system of claim 1 , wherein the cross-linked, sulfonated ion exchange resin catalyst has a degree of cross-linking of from about 1.5% to about 2.5%.
4 . The catalyst system of claim 1 , wherein the cross-linked, sulfonated ion exchange resin catalyst has a degree of cross-linking of about 2%.
5 . The catalyst system of claim 1 , wherein the dimethyl thiazolidine promoter is at least partially bound to the cross-linked, sulfonated ion exchange resin catalyst.
6 . The catalyst system of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the dimethly thiazolidine promoter is covalently bound to the cross-linked, sulfonated ion exchange resin catalyst.
7 . The catalyst system of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the dimethyl thiazolidine promoter is ionically bound to the cross-linked, sulfonated ion exchange resin catalyst.
8 . The catalyst system of claim 2 , wherein the dimethyl thiazolidine promoter is bound to from about 18% to about 25% of the sulfonic acid groups of the cross-linked, sulfonated ion exchange resin catalyst.
9 . The catalyst system of claim 2 , wherein the dimethyl thiazolidine promoter is bound to from about 20% to about 24% of the sulfonic acid groups of the cross-linked, sulfonated ion exchange resin catalyst.
10 . The catalyst system of claim 2 , wherein the dimethyl thiazolidine promoter is bound to about 22% of the sulfonic acid groups of the cross-linked, sulfonated ion exchange resin catalyst.
11 . The catalyst system of claim 1 , wherein the cross-linked, sulfonated ion exchange resin catalyst comprises a polystyrene based ion exchange resin.
12 . The catalyst system of claim 1 , wherein the cross-linked, sulfonated ion exchange resin catalyst comprises a polystyrene based ion exchange resin having a degree of cross-linking of from about 1% to about 4%, and wherein at least a portion of the dimethyl thiazolidine promoter is ionically bound to the polystyrene based ion exchange resin.
13 . The catalyst system of claim 1 , wherein the cross-linked, sulfonated ion exchange resin catalyst comprises a polysiloxane based ion exchange resin.
14 . The catalyst system of claim 1 , wherein the cross-linked, sulfonated ion exchange resin catalyst comprises a polysiloxane based ion exchange resin having a degree of cross-linking of from about 1% to about 4%, and wherein at least a portion of the dimethyl thiazolidine promoter is ionically bound to the polysiloxane based ion exchange resin.
15 .- 41 . (canceled)