AbstractThe kinetics of the reaction ofp‐cresol with formaldehyde in relation to the functionality ofp‐cresol using NaOH as catalyst has been studied at temperatures of (65 ± 0.05)°C, (70 ± 0.05)°C, (75 ± 0.05)°C, and (80 ± 0.05)°C. The pH maintained was 7.0, 8.0, 9.0, 9.4, and 10.0. The reaction follows a second‐order rate law. The rate was found to increase with increase in pH. The stepwise rate constants (k1andk2) for the formation of monomethylol‐p‐cresol and dimethylol‐p‐cresol, respectively, were calculated from the overall rate constantk. The values of Arrhenius parameters and the entropy of activation for the overall as well as the stepwise reactions were calculated. The experimental and calculated values ofkat pH 10.0 and temperatures 65, 70, 75, and 80°C were found to agree well within experimental errors. A mechanism conforming to the energies and entropies of activation of the
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