Phenol-methanal polymerisiation

Four yellow patterned dominoes made from Bakelite, face down on a white surface

Source: © Shutterstock

Make Bakelite in class and investigate its properties using phenol, methanal and ethanoic acid in this demonstration. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

In this experiment, students observe as phenol is dissolved in a mixture of aqueous methanal and ethanoic acid in a throwaway container. Acidification of this solution initiates condensation polymerisation, and a pink thermosetting polymer is formed within a few minutes.

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