Polymers from renewable resources, VI. Synthesis and characterization of thermosetting resins derived from cashewnut shell liquid/formaldehyde/substituted aromatic compounds

A large number of resins have been synthesized by reacting cardanol, a constituent of cashewnut shell liquid, with formaldehyde and substituted aromatic compounds in the presence of acidic and basic catalysts. The resins have been characterized by IR spectra. They were shown to be selective ion exchangers for certain metal ions. A batch equilibrium method was used for studying the selectivity of the metal ions. The thermal behaviour of the resins has been studied and a plausible degradation mechanism has been suggested.