Abstract: A process for the production of arylene sulfide polymers is provided which comprises subjecting a mixture of at least one first sulfur source, at least one second sulfur source comprised of at least one organic monothiol compound, at least one polyhalo-substituted aromatic compound and at least one polar organic compound to polymerization conditions sufficient to produce the arylene sulfide polymer. The organic monothiol compound can be added at any time prior to substantial completion of polymerization to provide arylene sulfide polymers of increased extrusion rate.

Abstract: In an inverse emulsion polymerization system for producing water-soluble polymers from a monomer system comprising an N-vinyl lactam and/or a vinyl-containing sulfonic acid or salt thereof utilizing a surfactant system having (1) a surfactant with a bulky lipophilic portion and a hydrophilic portion and (2) a generally straight-chain monionic surfactant having a lipophilic hydrocarbon group and an OH-terminated hydrophilic group, i.e. an alcohol. Such a system having both the right HLB and the right chemical combination results in a stable emulsion for the polymerization of these particular water-soluble monomers.

Abstract: Block copolymers composed of poly(phenylene sulfide) segments and poly(arylene sulfide/sulfone) segments are prepared by first polymerizing a dihalobenzene, utilizing a suitable sulfur source in the presence of a polar organic compound, to form poly(phenylene sulfide) segments then adding and polymerizing a dehaloaromatic sulfone thereby forming said block copolymer which block copolymers are employed as coatings and also are used to enhance compatibility of polymer blends.

Abstract: A process is provided for the production of aromatic sulfide-sulfone polymers which comprises contacting under suitable polymerization reaction conditions: (1) at least one dihaloaromatic sulfone, (2) water, and (3) a complex comprising at least one alkali metal hydrosulfide.

Abstract: A process is provided for the production of aromatic sulfide/sulfone polymers which comprises contacting under suitable polymerization reaction conditions: (1) at least one dihaloaromatic sulfone, (2) water, and (3) a complex comprising at least one alkali metal hydrosulfide.

Abstract: A polymerization process is provided for the production of high molecular weight aromatic sulfide/ketone polymer from at least one dihaloaromatic ketone, at least one alkali metal sulfide, at least one polar organic compound and water wherein the polymerization reaction is conducted in two distinct steps separated by an intermediate step of removal of at least a portion of the water.

Abstract: Improved coatings derived from arylene sulfide polymers are provided by use of powdered or liquid slurry coating formulations comprising a metal oxide and an arylene sulfide polymer which has an extrusion rate of about 80 to about 400 grams/10 minutes.

Abstract: A process is provided for the production of aromatic sulfide/sulfone polymers which comprises contacting under suitable polymerization reaction conditions: (1) at least one dihaloaromatic sulfone, (2) water, and (3) a complex comprising at least one alkali metal hydrosulfide.

Abstract: Interchange reactions between organosulfides and mercaptans are promoted by the use of catalysts containing Group VIB oxides. The preferred catalysts are supported phospho Group VIB oxide acids, such as phosphotungstic acid and phosphomolybdic acid. The preferred supports are moderately acidic supports that contain aluminum, such as zinc aluminate and aluminum phosphate.

Abstract: A process is provided for the production of aromatic sulfide/sulfone polymers which involves contacting under suitable polymerization reaction conditions: (1) at least one dihaloaromatic sulfone, (2) at least one organic amide, (3) at least one alkali metal hydrosulfide, (4) water, and (5) at least one member selected from the group consisting of (a) alkali metal carbonates and (b) mixtures of alkali metal carbonates with alkali metal hydroxides wherein said mixtures have at least about 0.5 mole percent alkali metal carbonate.

Abstract: In an inverse emulsion polymerization system for producing water-soluble polymers from a monomer system comprising an N-vinyl lactam and/or a vinyl-containing sulfonic acid or salt thereof utilizing a surfactant system having (1) a surfactant with a bulky lipophilic portion and a hydrophilic portion and (2) a generally straight-chain nonionic surfactant having a lipophilic hydrocarbon group and an OH-terminated hydrophilic group, i.e. an alcohol. Such a system having both the right HLB and the right chemical cobination results in a stable emulsion for the polymerization of these particular water-soluble monomers.

Abstract: Improved coatings derived from arylene sulfide polymers are provided by use of powered or liquid slurry coating formulations comprising a metal oxide and an arylene sulfide polymer which has an extrusion rate of about 80 to about 400 grams/10 minutes.

Abstract: Arylene sulfide polymers which can be linear, branched or modified are prepared by a process which comprises the steps of: (a) admixing a sulfur source and a cyclic organic amide in the presence of water to form an aqueous admixture wherein the molar ratio of the sulfur source to the cyclic organic amide is at least about 0.6:1 to about 1:1; (b) dehydrating said aqueous admixture to form a dehydrated admixture; (c) admixing with said dehydrated admixture at least one polymerizable halo-substituted aromatic compound to form a polymerization mixture; (d) subjecting the polymerization mixture to polymerization conditions effective to produce the arylene sulfide polymer; and (3) recovering the arylene sulfide polymer.

Abstract: Improved coatings derived from arylene sulfide polymers are provided by use of powdered or liquid slurry coating formulations comprising a metal oxide and an arylene sulfide polymer which has an extrusion rate of about 80 to about 400 grams/10 minutes.

Abstract: A process for the production of arylene sulfide polymers is provided which comprises subjecting a mixture of at least one sulfur source, at least one organic monohalo compound, at least one polyhalo-substituted aromatic compound and at least one polar organic compound to polymerization conditions sufficient to produce the arylene sulfide polymer. The organic monohalo compound can be added at any time prior to substantial completion of polymerization to provide arylene sulfide polymers of increased extrusion rate.

Abstract: An improved process for the production of high molecular weight aromatic sulfide/sulfone polymer comprising contacting under suitable polymerization conditions: (a) an organic amide, (b) an alkali metal sulfide or hydrosulfide, (c) water, and (d) a dihaloaromatic sulfone wherein the molar ratio of (a) to (b) is about 2:1 to about 24:1, the improvement comprising employing a molar ratio of (a) to (c) of about 0.4:1 to about 1.3:1.

Abstract: A process is provided for the production of aromatic sulfide/ketone polymers which comprises contacting under suitable polymerization conditions: (1) at least one dihaloaromatic ketone, (2) at least one organic amide, (3) at least one alkali metal hydrosulfide, (4) water, and (5) at least one member selected from the group consisting of (a) alkali metal carbonates and (b) mixtures of alkali metal carbonate with alkali metal hydroxide.

Abstract: Poly(p-phenylene sulfide) is prepared by the reaction of a p-dihalobenzene such as p-dichlorobenzene, with a dehydrated admixture of an alkali metal hydroxide such as sodium hydroxide, and an alkali metal bisulfide such as sodium bisulfide, in a polar organic solvent such as N-methyl-2-pyrollidone (NMP), employing a molar ratio of alkali metal hydroxide to alkali metal bisulfide of about 0.80:1 to 0.98:1. Poly(p-phenylene sulfide) having a high extrusion rate such as about 100 to about 1000 grams/10 minutes can be prepared in this manner.

Abstract: Arylene sulfide polymer having a high extrusion rate, e.g. at least about 100 g/10 min. are prepared by a process comprising: (a) dehydrating an aqueous admixture of a suitable sulfur source and a cyclic organic amide; (b) admixing a dihalo-substituted aromatic compound with the dehydrate mixture to form a polymerization mixture wherein the molar ratio of sulfur source to the cyclic organic amide is about 0.39:1 to about 0.6:1; (c) subjecting the polymerization mixture to reaction conditions sufficient to produce the arylene sulfide polymer; and (d) recovering the arylene sulfide polymer.

Abstract: A water-in-oil emulsion polymerization process is provided for preparing water-in-oil latexes of water-soluble polymers of ethylenically unsaturated monomers. The process utilizes as a chain transfer agent a thiol having the formula HS-Y(Z).sub.x wherein Y is a hydrocarbyl radical having 2-5 carbons and a valence of x+1; Z is selected from the group consisting of --OH, --CO.sub.2 H and --CO.sub.2 R wherein R is an alkyl radical of 1-3 carbon atoms; x is an integer of 1 or 2 and wherein the total number of carbon atoms per molecule of the thiol is 2-7.