Synthetic polymer bakelite can be prepared from following compounds

Bakelite is the first fully synthetic plastic. It belongs to the class of thermosetting polymers called phenol-formaldehyde resins.

Step-1 Starting materials
Bakelite is obtained by the condensation polymerisation of phenol ($$C_6H_5OH$$) with formaldehyde ($$HCHO$$) in the presence of an acid or a basic catalyst.

Step-2 Reaction pathway
• Formaldehyde first electrophilically attacks the ortho/para positions of phenol giving hydroxymethyl phenols (mono- and di-methylol phenols).
• Continued heating causes these intermediates to undergo condensation with loss of water, producing $$\;-CH_2-$$ bridges between aromatic rings and finally a highly cross-linked three-dimensional network called Bakelite.

Step-3 Why other options are wrong
• Option A: Styrene + vinyl chloride give copolymers like Saran; no phenol-formaldehyde structure.
• Option B: Acrylonitrile + vinyl chloride form copolymers used in fibres; still no phenol/aldehyde.
• Option C: Adipic acid + ethylene glycol yield a polyester, not a phenol-formaldehyde resin.
Only phenol and formaldehyde furnish the required resin.

Hence, Bakelite is synthesised from phenol and formaldehyde.

Option D which is: Phenol and formaldehyde