ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Synthesis of melamine-formaldehyde resin functionalised with sulphonic groups and its catalytic activities

Lin-Jun Shao, Gui-Ying Xing, and Chen-Ze Qi

Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Alternative Technologies for Fine Chemicals Process, Shaoxing University, Zhejiang Province, 312000, China

E-mail: qichenze@usx.edu.cn

Abstract: Spherical melamine-formaldehyde resin (MFR) particles were synthesised using the condensation reaction of melamine and formaldehyde with PEG-2000 as an additive. After thermal treatment at 200°C and then sulphonation by chlorosulphuric acid, an MFR-supported strong acid catalyst (SMFR) was prepared with an acidity of 3.23 mmol g⁻¹. This new acid catalyst was evaluated in the reactions of esterification and acetalisation, with the results indicating that this novel acid catalyst was highly efficient in the traditional acid-catalysed reaction. Its high activity, stability and reusability give it great potential for “green” chemical processes.

Keywords: solid acid – acidity – acetalisation – esterification

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.2478/s11696-013-0527-1

Chemical Papers 68 (7) 983–988 (2014)