Abstract: A method for purification of a biphenol tetraacid composition includes contacting the biphenol tetraacid composition with a solvent including a C1-6 alcohol to form a slurry and isolating the purified biphenol tetraacid from the slurry. The biphenol tetraacid composition includes a biphenol tetraacid and a biphenol. A purified biphenol tetraacid composition is also described.

Abstract: A method of making a biphenol dianhydride composition includes heating a first solution including a biphenol tetraacid of the formula (I) wherein Ra, Rb, p and q are as defined herein; at least one of sodium ions, potassium ions, calcium ions, zinc ions, aluminum ions, iron ions, phosphate ions, sulfate ions, chloride ions, nitrate ions, and nitrite ions; and a non-halogenated solvent. The first solution is heated under conditions effective to provide a second solution including the corresponding biphenol dianhydride, the at least one of sodium ions, potassium ions, calcium ions, zinc ions, aluminum ions, iron ions, phosphate ions, sulfate ions, chloride ions, nitrate ions, and nitrite ions, and the non-halogenated solvent.

Abstract: A method for purification of a biphenol tetraacid composition includes contacting the biphenol tetraacid composition with a solvent including a C1-6 alcohol to form a slurry and isolating the purified biphenol tetraacid from the slurry. The biphenol L tetraacid composition includes a biphenol tetraacid and a biphenol. A purified biphenol tetraacid composition is also described.

Abstract: A method for producing a reactive intermediate composition, including: reacting a substituted phthalic anhydride of the formula (I) with a diamine of the formula H2N—R—NH2 in the presence of an aromatic dianhydride in an amount of 10 to 50 mole percent based on the total moles of anhydride functionality in the reaction; wherein the reacting is conducted in an aprotic solvent in a reactor, under conditions effective to produce the reactive intermediate composition; and wherein X comprises a halogen or a nitro group, and R comprises a C6-36 aromatic hydrocarbon group or a halogenated derivative thereof, a straight or branched chain C2-20 alkylene or a halogenated derivative thereof, or a C3-8 cycloalkylene or a halogenated derivative thereof.

Abstract: A method of making a polyetherimide includes forming a monomer mixture comprising a bis(ether anhydride), a diamine and a volatile organic solvent; removing the volatile organic solvent to form a particulate solid; and melt polymerizing the particulate solid at a temperature 50 to 225° C. greater than the glass transition temperature of the polyetherimide in a single melt mixing device. The polyetherimide has an anhydride-amine stoichiometry and the standard deviation of anhydride-amine stoichiometry is less than 0.4 mol %.

Abstract: A method of making a polyetherimide includes melt mixing a composition comprising an aromatic bis(ether anhydride) and a diamine to form a polyetherimide wherein melt mixing occurs at a temperature 50 to 225° C. greater than the glass transition temperature of the polyetherimide and after the composition attains a weight average molecular weight that is greater than or equal to 20% of the weight average molecular weight of the polyetherimide melt mixing occurs at a pressure less than atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A method for reducing yellowness of a polyetherimide solution, including exposing a first solution including a solvent and a polyetherimide to light under conditions effective to provide a second solution having a yellowness index that is 1 to 100 units less than the yellowness index of the first solution, as determined according to ASTM D1925. Another aspect is a method for reducing yellowness of a polyetherimide solution including acidifying a first solution including a solvent and a polyetherimide to provide a second solution having a pH less than 5 under conditions effective for the second solution to attain a yellowness index that is 1 to 30 units less than the yellowness index of the first solution, as determined according to ASTM D1925. Polyetherimides prepared according to the method, and compositions and articles including the polyetherimide are also described.

Abstract: A method for producing a reactive intermediate composition, including: reacting a substituted phthalic anhydride of the formula (I) with a diamine of the formula H2N—R—NH2 in the presence of an aromatic dianhydride in an amount of 10 to 50 mole percent based on the total moles of anhydride functionality in the reaction; wherein the reacting is conducted in an aprotic solvent in a reactor, under conditions effective to produce the reactive intermediate composition; and wherein X comprises a halogen or a nitro group, and R comprises a C6-36 aromatic hydrocarbon group or a halogenated derivative thereof, a straight or branched chain C2-20 alkylene or a halogenated derivative thereof, or a C3-8 cycloalkylene or a halogenated derivative thereof.

Abstract: A polyetherimide of improved color and processes for preparing the polyetherimide are disclosed.

Abstract: A poly(aryl ether sulfone) comprises units of formula (I): wherein Ar1 is a divalent C6-C15 aromatic group, Ar2 is a divalent C6-C15 aromatic group, Ar3 is a divalent C6-C15 aromatic group, and n is greater than 1; and a terminal group of formula (II) derived from a monofunctional phenoxide wherein is X is a hydrogen atom or an organic substituent having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; wherein the poly(aryl ether sulfone) has a hydroxyl group content greater than 0 and less than 50 parts per million (ppm), based on the poly(aryl ether sulfone) weight, a glass transition temperature of 180 to 290° C., a weight average molecular weight of 20,000 to 100,000, a halogen content of greater than 0 and less than 3000 ppm based on the poly(aryl ether sulfone) weight. The poly(aryl ether sulfone) is free of methoxy groups.

Abstract: A method for reducing yellowness of a polyetherimide solution, including exposing a first solution including a solvent and a polyetherimide to light under conditions effective to provide a second solution having a yellowness index that is 1 to 100 units less than the yellowness index of the first solution, as determined according to ASTM D1925. Another aspect is a method for reducing yellowness of a polyetherimide solution including acidifying a first solution including a solvent and a polyetherimide to provide a second solution having a pH less than 5 under conditions effective for the second solution to attain a yellowness index that is 1 to 30 units less than the yellowness index of the first solution, as determined according to ASTM D1925. Polyetherimides prepared according to the method, and compositions and articles including the polyetherimide are also described.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the manufacture of a bis(phthalimide), and polyetherimides derived therefrom, by reacting a phthalic anhydride having the formula with an organic diamine having the formula H2N—R—NH2, in a solvent, at a temperature from 140° C. to 220° C., and a pressure from 0 psig to 100 psig, in the presence or absence of a phase transfer catalyst, to form a bis(phthalimide) having the formula wherein a polyetherimide polymer is added either before or after the imidization reaction, to produce a bis(phthalimide) composition having a percent solids content of 18% to 30%, which bis(phthalimide) composition has a viscosity of less than 4000 cP at a shear rate of less than 30 sec?1 and temperaturefrom 140° C. to 180° C. as measured in a spindle viscometer.

Abstract: A polyetherimide of improved color and processes for preparing the polyetherimide are disclosed.

Abstract: Polyetherimide compositions of formula (1) are described wherein the polyetherimide compositions comprise a polyetherimide comprising a reacted combination of alkali metal salts comprising an alkali metal salt of a dihydroxy aromatic compound and an alkali metal salt of a monohydroxy aromatic compound with a bis(halophthalimide), wherein the alkali metal salt of the monohydroxy aromatic compound is included in an amount of more than 0 and less than 5 mole percent, based on the total moles of the alkali metal salts, and the polyetherimide has a weight average molecular weight greater than or equal to 43,000 Daltons. The polyetherimide exhibits lower levels of chlorine and chlorine end groups, lower levels of bis(halophthalimide) and bis(phthalimide), and low plate-out during manufacturing.

Abstract: Polyetherimide compositions are described wherein the polyetherimide composition comprises a polyetherimide comprising a reacted combination of alkali metal salts comprising an alkali metal salt of a dihydroxy aromatic compound and an alkali metal salt of a monohydroxy aromatic compound with a bis(halophthalimide), wherein the alkali metal salt of the monohydroxy aromatic compound is included in an amount of greater or equal to 5 mole percent based on the total moles of the alkali metal salts, and the polyetherimide has a weight average molecular weight less than 43,000 Daltons. The polyetherimide exhibits lower levels of chlorine and chlorine end groups, lower levels of bis(halophthalimide) and bis(phthalimide), and low plate-out during manufacturing.

Abstract: A poly(aryl ether sulfone) comprises units of formula (I): wherein Ar1 is a divalent C6-C15 aromatic group, Ar2 is a divalent C6-C15 aromatic group, Ar3 is a divalent C6-C15 aromatic group, and n is greater than 1; and a terminal group of formula (II) derived from a monofunctional phenoxide wherein is X is a hydrogen atom or an organic substituent having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; wherein the poly(aryl ether sulfone) has a hydroxyl group content greater than 0 and less than 50 parts per million (ppm), based on the poly(aryl ether sulfone) weight, a glass transition temperature of 180 to 290° C., a weight average molecular weight of 20,000 to 100,000, a halogen content of greater than 0 and less than 3000 ppm based on the poly(aryl ether sulfone) weight. The poly(aryl ether sulfone) is free of methoxy groups.

Abstract: A poly(aryl ether sulfone) comprises units of formula (I): wherein Ar1 is a divalent C6-C15 aromatic group, Ar2 is a divalent C6-C15 aromatic group, Ar3 is a divalent C6-C15 aromatic group, and n is greater than 1; and a terminal group of formula (II) derived from a monofunctional phenoxide wherein is X is a hydrogen atom or an organic substituent having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; wherein the poly(aryl ether sulfone) has a hydroxyl group content greater than 0 and less than 50 parts per million (ppm), based on the poly(aryl ether sulfone) weight, a glass transition temperature of 180 to 290° C., a weight average molecular weight of 20,000 to 100,000, a halogen content of greater than 0 and less than 3000 ppm based on the poly(aryl ether sulfone) weight. The poly(aryl ether sulfone) can have a thermal stability factor greater than or equal to 90%.

Abstract: A method for the purification of aromatic polyether polymers prepared by a halide displacement polymerization process comprises adsorbing the catalyst with an alkali metal halide to form an adsorbent component and then removing the adsorbent component. Mixtures resulting from this method are also discussed.

Abstract: Polyetherimide compositions are described wherein the polyetherimide composition comprises a polyetherimide comprising a reacted combination of alkali metal salts comprising an alkali metal salt of a dihydroxy aromatic compound and an alkali metal salt of a monohydroxy aromatic compound with a bis(halophthalimide), wherein the alkali metal salt of the monohydroxy aromatic compound is included in an amount of greater or equal to 5 mole percent based on the total moles of the alkali metal salts, and the polyetherimide has a weight average molecular weight less than 43,000 Daltons. The polyetherimide exhibits lower levels of chlorine and chlorine end groups, lower levels of bis(halophthalimide) and bis(phthalimide), and low plate-out during manufacturing.

Abstract: Polyetherimide compositions of formula (1) are described wherein the polyetherimide compositions comprise a polyetherimide comprising a reacted combination of alkali metal salts comprising an alkali metal salt of a dihydroxy aromatic compound and an alkali metal salt of a monohydroxy aromatic compound with a bis(halophthalimide), wherein the alkali metal salt of the monohydroxy aromatic compound is included in an amount of more than 0 and less than 5 mole percent, based on the total moles of the alkali metal salts, and the polyetherimide has a weight average molecular weight greater than or equal to 43,000 Daltons. The polyetherimide exhibits lower levels of chlorine and chlorine end groups, lower levels of bis(halophthalimide) and bis(phthalimide), and low plate-out during manufacturing.