Process for the preparation of substituted cycloalkylidene bisphenols

A process for the preparation of substituted cycloalkylidene bisphenols corresponding to formula (II) ##STR7## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 denote, independently of one another, hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -alkyl, C.sub.5 -C.sub.6 -cycloalkyl, C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 -aryl and C.sub.7 -C.sub.12 -aralkyl,

• m stands for an integer from 4 to 7,
• R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 which may be chosen individually for each X, denote, independently of one another, hydrogen, straight chain or branched C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 -alkyl, C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 -aryl and C.sub.7 -C.sub.12 -aralkyl and
• X denotes carbon
• under the condition that on at least one X atom, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are not both hydrogen,
• by the reaction of phenols corresponding to the formula (III) ##STR8## in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 have the meanings given for formula (II)
• with ketones corresponding to formula (IV) ##STR9## in which R.sup.3, R.sup.4, X and m have the meanings indicated for formula (II) in the presence of acid condensation catalysts, wherein the reaction is carried out in the presence of 20 to 700 mol of water per 100 kg of reaction mixture, at a temperature of 20.degree. to 150.degree. C., at a pressure of 1 to 20 bar.