Question

Bakelite is a ________ .
[A] Phenol – formaldehyde resin
[B] Phenol – acetaldehyde resin
[C] Phenol – propanaldehyde resin
[D] Resin in alcohol

Answer 1

Hint: Bakelite is a synthetic plastic that was formed by heating two chemical compounds once of which is an aldehyde at very high temperature and pressure. Its chemical formula is ${{\left( {{C}_{6}}{{H}_{6}}O\cdot C{{H}_{2}}O \right)}_{n}}$.You can use this to answer this question.

Complete step by step answer: To find the correct answer, let us discuss what Bakelite is.
Bakelite is also known as polyoxybenzylmethylenglycolanhydride. We can write its general chemical formula as ${{\left( {{C}_{6}}{{H}_{6}}O\cdot C{{H}_{2}}O \right)}_{n}}$ . Bakelite was the first plastic that was made from synthetic components.
It is a thermosetting polymer of phenol formaldehyde resin. It is formed by the condensation reaction of phenol with formaldehyde. Now, let us discuss the formation of Bakelite briefly.
Formation of Bakelite involves several steps. In the first step, phenol and formaldehyde are heated in presence of a catalyst like hydrochloric acid or ammonia. From heating, a liquid condensation is formed that is known as Bakelite A. When we heat it further, it becomes partially soluble and can be softened again by heat. However, after heating under high pressure and at high temperature, an insoluble and infusible, extremely hard substance is formed, known as Bakelite.
We can understand from the above discussion that Bakelite is a phenol – formaldehyde resin.

Therefore, the correct answer is option [A] Phenol – formaldehyde resin.

Note: The creation of Bakelite was revolutionary as it showed that synthetic plastic like Bakelite had electrical non-conductivity and higher heat resistant properties and thus useful in electrical insulators, radios and even telephone casings. It is also used in making several kitchen wares, firearms, pipe stems and even jewellery and children’s toys.