Preparation of ‘high‐ortho’ novolak resins. II. The course of the reaction

Abstract Some intermediate products of the condensation of phenol and formaldehyde, in the presence of excess phenol, have been identified by paper chromatography. The reactions of the intermediates and the properties of the resins resulting from their further condensation have been investigated. The orientation effect of the cations of bivalent electropositive metals has been shown to operate both in the initial condensation of phenol and formaldehyde and in the subsequent reactions of the methylolphenols.