A novel dispersion polymerization of 2-phenoxyethanol (PE) with formaldehyde for the preparation of crosslinked phenolic-typed beads (CPBs) is reported. Monodisperse CPBs with particle sizes in the range 400-700 mu m were obtained. The dispersion polymerization of PE with formaldehyde was conducted with hydroxyethyl cellulose, concentrated sulfuric acid, and formic acid as a stabilizer, catalyst, and solvent, respectively. The effects of reaction variables, including the polymerization temperature, agitation rate, molar ratio of formaldehyde to 2-phenoxyethanol (F/P), stabilizer concentration, and amount of the catalyst on the particle size, particle size distribution, and morphology, were investigated. Particularly, CPBs of a size 604 mu m and a narrow particle size distribution (polydispersity index = 1.193) were prepared under the following conditions: polymerization temperature = 60 degrees C, agitation rate = 700 rpm, stabilizer concentration = 2.5%, F/P = 3 : 1, and amount of catalyst = 8 mL. The resulting CPBs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and laser particle analysis. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 117: 216-221, 2010