Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026

A Simple and Efficient Protocol for the Catalytic Insertion Polymerization of Functional Norbornenes
Published on: February 27, 2017
Synthesis of branched para-nonylphenol isomers: occurrence and quantification in two commercial mixtures
Alexander S Russ1, Ralph Vinken, Ingolf Schuphan
1Department of Environmental Science--Biology V, Aachen Technical University, Worringerweg 1, D-52056 Aachen, NRW, Germany. alexander.russ@bio5.rwth-aachen.de
Abstract:
Eight tertiary nonanols were synthesized via Grignard reaction and coupled by Friedel-Crafts alkylation with phenol to the corresponding nonylphenols. Six branched para-nonylphenols (NP) were obtained: 4-(3'-methyl-3'-octyl)phenol (33NP), 4-(2'-methyl-2'-octyl)phenol (22NP), 4-(2',5'-dimethyl-2'-heptyl)phenol (252NP), 4-(2',5',5'-trimethyl-2'-hexyl)phenol (2552NP), 4-(2',4'-dimethyl-2'-heptyl)phenol (242NP) and 4-(4'-ethyl-2'-methyl-2'-hexyl)phenol (4E22NP). Their structures were confirmed by GC-MS and NMR spectroscopy. These six isomers as well as the earlier synthesized 4-(3',5'-dimethyl-3'-heptyl)phenol (353NP), 4-(3',6'-dimethyl-3'-heptyl)phenol (363NP) and 4-(2',6'-dimethyl-2'-heptyl)phenol (262NP) were compared with commercial NP mixtures purchased from Acros and Fluka by GC-MS (equipped with a 100 m polysiloxane column). The analyses revealed that all obtained isomers are occurring in different quantities in both commercial NP mixtures.
Related Concept Videos
¹H NMR: Complex Splitting
Splitting diagrams or splitting tree diagrams are routinely used to depict such complex couplings. While drawing splitting diagrams, the splitting with the larger coupling constant is usually applied first.
Characteristics and Nomenclature of Copolymers
Polymer Classification: Architecture
Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity
Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Chain Branching
Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Overview
Ruthenium-based Grubbs catalyst is the most commonly used catalyst for olefin metathesis polymerization. Grubbs catalyst consists of a...

