Kinetics and Mechanism of Acid-Catalyzed 2,5-Xylenol-Formaldehyde Reaction

This paper deals with kinetic studies of the 2,5-xylenol and formaldehyde reaction catalyzed by hydrochloric acid. The catalyst concentrations used were 0.008, 0.012, 0.02, and 0.04 N. The investigations were carried out at 65, 70, 75, and 80°C. It was observed that the reaction follows a second-order rate law. The rate of reaction was found to increase with an increase in acid concentration. The overall rate constant was resolved into stepwise rate constants. It is a two-step reaction, the second step of the reaction being a rapid follow-up of the first step. Activation parameters for the overall reaction have been calculated, and a mechanism conforming to the experimental observations is suggested.