Bisphenol-A
The diphenol monomer supplied by Chelora Chemicals — known in the trade as BPA, made by condensing phenol with acetone, and the essential feedstock for polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resin — exported from Indonesia as flake or molten liquid with full batch documentation on every shipment.
What Bisphenol-A is, and why buyers source it
A working overview of the compound's chemistry, its role as the diphenol engineering-plastics monomer, and the grades Chelora Chemicals keeps in regular supply.
Bisphenol-A is two phenol rings joined through a central carbon bearing two methyl groups, each ring still carrying its hydroxyl group. Those two hydroxyls are the reactive handles: condensed with phosgene or a carbonate ester they build the carbonate linkages of polycarbonate, and condensed with epichlorohydrin they build the glycidyl ether linkages of epoxy resin.
At room temperature it is a white, essentially odourless crystalline flake or prill, with low water solubility and good solubility in most organic solvents. It is a solid under all normal storage and transport conditions and is generally easier to handle than the molten-liquid anhydrides and phenol itself, requiring only dry, moisture-aware storage.
Where it fits in the synthesis chain
Bisphenol-A's two largest uses are as the monomer for polycarbonate, the tough, transparent engineering plastic used in optical media, glazing, automotive and electronics components, and as the backbone monomer for epoxy resins used in coatings, adhesives, composites and electrical laminates. It also appears as a minor component in some flame retardants and specialty polyester resins.
Grades we supply
Chelora Chemicals offers Bisphenol-A in polycarbonate grade and epoxy grade (both 99.8%+ assay) suitable for engineering-plastics and resin manufacture, supplied with a batch-wise certificate of analysis.
How Bisphenol-A is made
An overview of the production route for orientation purposes. Our manufacturing partners' own process parameters and in-process controls are proprietary and are not disclosed beyond what is needed to interpret the certificate of analysis.
Bisphenol-A is manufactured by the acid-catalysed condensation of two equivalents of phenol with one equivalent of acetone, typically using an ion-exchange resin or mineral-acid catalyst, with loss of water: 2 C₆H₅OH + (CH₃)₂CO → (CH₃)₂C(C₆H₄OH)₂ + H₂O. The crude product is purified by recrystallisation or distillation to remove unreacted phenol and reaction by-products.
Why acid-catalysed condensation is the standard process
Condensing phenol and acetone directly over an acid catalyst gives a single, well-understood reaction step from two cumene-process co-products that are already produced together at scale, which is why it has been the dominant commercial process since BPA was first commercialised and remains essentially the only route used industrially today.
Industries and processes that use it
Bisphenol-A is consumed across engineering-plastics, coatings and composites manufacture, where its two reactive phenolic hydroxyls are the main draw. The fields below account for most of the demand we see through our export desk.
Polycarbonate (PC) Resin
Condensed with phosgene or diphenyl carbonate to make polycarbonate, the tough, transparent engineering plastic used in optical media, glazing, electronics and automotive parts.
Epoxy Resins
Condensed with epichlorohydrin to make the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA), the backbone of epoxy coatings, adhesives, composites and electrical laminates.
Flame Retardants & Specialty Resins
Used as a building block for brominated flame retardants and selected specialty polyester and polysulfone resins.
Thermal Paper & Specialty Coatings
Used in some specialty coating and colour-developer formulations, a smaller but established application.
How the molecule is typically carried forward
The two reactive phenolic hydroxyl groups, held apart by the central dimethylmethylene bridge, govern almost all of this molecule's further reaction chemistry. Reaction classes below account for most of the ways Bisphenol-A is converted into a finished product.
Interfacial Polycondensation (with Phosgene)
Both hydroxyl groups react with phosgene (or diphenyl carbonate in the melt process) to build the repeating carbonate linkages of polycarbonate.
Epoxidation (with Epichlorohydrin)
Both hydroxyl groups react with epichlorohydrin under base catalysis to build the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A, the epoxy-resin backbone.
Acid-Catalysed Condensation (Upstream)
Two equivalents of phenol condense with one of acetone under acid catalysis to form Bisphenol-A itself, the dominant industrial route in the whole chain.
Bromination (for Flame Retardants)
Selectively brominated on the aromatic rings to make tetrabromobisphenol-A and related brominated flame-retardant intermediates.
Bisphenol-A against other amines we supply
Buyers sourcing Bisphenol-A for polycarbonate, epoxy-resin or flame-retardant manufacture often need its two upstream building blocks. A quick reference to what else is on our regular supply list.
| Product | CAS Number | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bisphenol-A | 80-05-7 | Diphenol engineering-plastics monomer | The product on this page — the feedstock for polycarbonate and epoxy resin. |
| Phenol | 108-95-2 | Aromatic hydroxyl intermediate | One of the two building blocks condensed to make Bisphenol-A — see its product page. |
| Acetone | 67-64-1 | Ketone co-product & solvent | The other building block condensed to make Bisphenol-A — see its product page. |
| Styrene Monomer | 100-42-5 | Vinyl aromatic monomer | Another aromatic engineering-plastics monomer in our range — see its product page. |
Exact physical constants and purity specifications are confirmed per batch on the certificate of analysis — treat the notes above as a sourcing guide, not a specification sheet, for products other than Bisphenol-A.
Safety classification at a glance
Based on GHS classification as commonly listed for this substance. This is a summary for orientation only — always work from the current safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch.
Causes serious eye damage.
May cause an allergic skin reaction.
Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child.
May cause respiratory irritation (dust).
Chemical-resistant gloves, splash goggles and dust protection are mandatory for routine handling.
Can cause allergic skin reactions on repeated contact; avoid skin exposure.
Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child; minimise exposure and follow MSDS handling precautions.
Warning — GHS05 corrosive (eye), GHS07 irritant and GHS08 reproductive-hazard pictograms apply.
This compound causes serious eye damage, may cause an allergic skin reaction, is suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child, and may cause respiratory irritation as a dust. It must be handled only with chemical-resistant gloves, splash-proof eye protection, and dust protection, minimising skin and respiratory exposure. Full first-aid, storage, spill and PPE guidance is in the MSDS issued with every shipment, and must be read in full and followed without exception before this material is handled.
Keeping it on spec between delivery and use
General storage guidance for this grade. Site-specific storage rules, segregation requirements and re-test intervals should follow your own EHS procedures and the MSDS issued with your batch.
Store in a dry, sealed area away from strong oxidizing agents and excess moisture, in tightly closed original packaging. As a stable crystalline solid at ambient temperature it is comparatively straightforward to store and transport, needing only standard dry-goods handling and dust control. If a batch is held past its retest date, re-check assay and colour before use.
How it ships from Indonesia
Standard packing and export terms for this product. Confirm exact figures against your order — they vary slightly by destination and quantity.
What travels with every batch
Specification is agreed before the purchase order, not discovered on arrival. Every shipment of Bisphenol-A leaves with a documented, checkable paper trail.
Certificate of Analysis
Batch-wise assay (by titration/GC), colour and relevant physical constants, issued against the agreed specification so your QC team can check it, not just file it.
Safety Data Sheet
GHS-format SDS in English covering hazard classification, handling, storage, first-aid and spill response for the exact grade of Bisphenol-A shipped.
Technical Data Sheet
Reference physical and chemical properties, recommended storage and typical applications, for internal circulation to your process or R&D teams.
Certificate of Origin
Confirms Indonesian origin for customs clearance and any preferential-duty claim at your destination port.
Dangerous Goods Declaration
UN packing group, classification and shipper's declaration prepared ahead of loading so documentation never holds up customs.
Third-Party Inspection
Independent pre-shipment inspection and re-sampling can be arranged on request, at your cost, for buyers who require it as a matter of policy.
Frequently asked questions
What buyers most often ask our sales desk about this grade.
01What is Bisphenol-A used for?+
02What is the CAS number of Bisphenol-A?+
03How is Bisphenol-A made?+
04What grades does Chelora Chemicals supply?+
05Why does Bisphenol-A need both Phenol and Acetone?+
06Is Bisphenol-A hazardous?+
07What packing options are available?+
08How long does delivery take?+
09Can I get a sample before placing a bulk order?+
10Do you supply Phenol and Acetone as well?+
Need Bisphenol-A on spec, on time?
Send us your required purity, quantity, packing preference and destination port. Our desk quotes most enquiries within one working day.