Synthesis of Bakelite plastic. Timelapse footage of chemicals reacting to form the plastic Bakelite. This plastic is produced by starting with formaldehyde and acetic acid (initial mixture in beaker). The reactants are being mixed using a magnetic stirrer. Phenol is added (from measuring cylinder), followed by sulphuric acid (from beaker). The key step is an elimination reaction of phenol with formaldehyde to produce a phenol formaldehyde resin. The resulting pink solid is the plastic. Bakelite was first produced by Leo Baekeland in 1907. It was the first synthetic thermosetting plastic ever made. For the beaker being emptied see clip K004/5020. For heat then being applied to turn the plastic permanently hard (thermosetting), see clip K004/4985.