2,6-Bis(hydroxymethyl)-p-cresol was used as a bridging ligand in binuclear oxovanadium(V) compound, which on exposure to white light and aerial oxygen forms an oligomeric compound.
The synthesis method for 2,6-Bis(hydroxymethyl)-p-cresol is as follows:
Aqueous formaldehyde (21.5 g, 37%) is added to a solution of p-cresol (10.8 g, 0.1 mol) and NaOH (5.0 g) in HO (20 mL).
The mixture is stirred at room temperature for 24 hours.
The mixture is filtered and washed with saturated aqueous NaCl (100 mL).
The resulting salt is dissolved in water (400 mL) and neutralized with acetic acid.
Pale pink crystals are obtained and filtered.
The crystals are washed with H2O and dissolved in hot ethyl acetate (40 mL).
The solution is dried over Na2SO4 and filtered while still hot.
The solution is concentrated to 27 mL and recrystallized overnight.
The product crystals are filtered and washed with cold ethyl acetate.
The crystals are air dried.
