Process for the production of bisphenols

In a method for the condensation of a carbonyl compound selected from the class consisting of, cycloheptanone, acetophenone, benzophenone and compounds of the general formula:

• ##STR6## wherein X is independently selected from the class consisting of hydrogen, fluorine, monovalent alkyl groups, from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, aryl groups and alkaryl groups with a phenolic compound of the general formula:
• ##STR7## wherein R is independently selected from the class consisting of hydrogen fluorine monovalent alkyl groups from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, aryl groups and alkaryl groups for the production of bis(hydroxyaryl) compounds, whereby at least two moles of said phenolic compound are caused to react with one mole of said carbonyl compound in the presence of a cationic exchange resin in a reaction zone;
• the improvement comprising pretreating said phenolic compound by contacting said phenolic compound with a chelating resin to remove impurities and thereafter mixing said phenolic compound with said carbonyl compound.