Phenolic resins are synthetic thermosetting resins prepared by either base-catalyzed (resoles) or acid-catalyzed (novolacs) addition polymerization of phenol with formaldehyde. While resoles are self-curing owing to the presence of reactive side groups, novolacs resins are not reactive and need a cross-linking agent to completely polymerize. Prominently, both novolak and resins are high-volume, reactive intermediates which experience a range of chemical transformation. In several cases, the ... Read more
