Synthesis and characterization of bis(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylphenyl)-furylmethane

Bis(4-hydroxy-3,5-di-methylphenyl)-furylmethane was synthesized by the condensation reaction using 2,6-xylenol and furfural as starting materials,sodium hydroxide as catalyst.The influence of various factors on this reaction was investigated.Orthogonal experiment was designed by selection of such major factors,as reaction temperature,catalyst dosage and reaction time.The optimum reaction conditions were determined as follows:2.2∶1 of n(2,6-xylenol)/n(furfural),1∶0.11 of n(2,6-xylenol)/n(sodium hydroxide),reaction temperature 65 ℃ and reaction time 5 h.Under the optimal conditions,the product yield could reach 61.7%.The structure of the product with purity of 99.52% and melting point of 151.1 ℃ were confirmed by FTIR,1H NMR and MS.