Abstract: The compositions disclosed herein comprise compounds of the formula:DOOCArO-ArSO.sub.2 Ar'QAr'SO.sub.2 Ar-OArCOOD (I)and also derivatives and polymers therefrom or from the compound:X-ArSO.sub.2 Ar'QAr'SO.sub.2 Ar-Xin which compounds D is hydrogen, halogen or a monovalent hydrocarbon radical, preferably of 1-20 carbon atoms; Q is either --O-- or --SO.sub.2 --; Ar and Ar' are divalent aromatic groups including a multiplicity of aromatic groups linked by O, SO.sub.2, hydrocarbon groups, etc.; and X is preferably Cl but may be other halogen atoms. In these compounds, the central core or residue --ArSO.sub.2 Ar'QAr'SO.sub.2 Ar-- may be represented by A. Various derivatives and polymers having the core A are prepared, such as diamides of the formula R.sub.2 NOCArO-A-OArCONR.sub.2 ; polyester polymers of the formula [--OROOCArO-A-OArCO--]; polyarylate polymers of the formula [--ArCOOArO-A-OArOOCArCOO--]; polycarbonate polymers of the formula [--OCOOArO-A-OArOOCO--]; phenolic resins, and many other derivatives.

Abstract: A method for making diarylthioethers including thioetherbis(phthalic anhydrides) and thioetherbis(phthalimides) in the absence of a solvent medium by the interaction of sulfide compounds, including alkali metal sulfides and alkali metal hydrogen sulfides, with molten organo-substituted aromatic compounds including phthalic anhydrides and phthalimides mediated by a phase transfer catalyst.

Abstract: Cyclic dianhydrides and polyimides are prepared from maleic anhydride compounds and diolefins. The diolefins are alpha-, omega-linear diolefins of up to 100 carbon atoms or cyclic diolefins of up to 40 carbon atoms. The polyimides and copolyimides prepared from these cyclic dianhydrides are useful in films, fibers and coatings.

Abstract: A method of preparation and/or purification of acid anhydrides is disclosed. Dicarboxylic or polycarboxylic acids contained in the anhydrides to be treated, are dehydrated in an organic solvent in the presence of activated carbon.

Abstract: A method is provided for making aromatic bis(ether phthalic anhydride)s by effecting an imide-anhydride exchange between aromatic bis(ether N-organophthalimide) and phthalic anhydride in the presence of an imide anhydride exchange catalyst and water and extracting the aqueous imide-anhydride exchange reaction mixture with an inert organic solvent. Imide-anhydride exchange product having at least 97 mole percent aromatic bis(ether phthalic anhydride) can be made at substantially reduced temperatures and pressures, by increasing by a factor of at least two, the number of times the imide-anhydride exchange mixture is extracted.

Abstract: A method is provided for converting aromatic bis(ether N-organo substituted phthalimides) to aromatic bis(ether anhydrides) by heating a bisphasic aqueous-organic mixture of aromatic bis(ether N-organo substituted phthalimide), phthalic anhydride and an exchange catalyst to effect an imide-anhydride exchange producing an aqueous phase containing aromatic bis 4ether phthalic acid) and an organic phase containing N-organo substituted phthalimide. The aromatic bis(ether phthalic acid) is then optionally dehydrated to the corresponding anhydride.

Abstract: A method is provided for making aromatic bis(ether phthalic anhydride), for example, 2,2-bis[4-(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)phenyl]propane dianhydride by effecting an exchange reaction between molten aromatic bis(ether-imide) and phthalic anhydride in the presence of water and an imide-anhydride exchange catalyst. An enchanced rate of aromatic bis(ether phthalic anhydride) production has been found to occur, if the molten aromatic bis(ether imide) is contacted with the phthalic anhydride in the form of an aqueous feed mixture of phthalic acid and exchange catalyst and the resulting equilibrated mixture extracted with organic solvent.

Abstract: Halo-(carbonyldioxyaryl)ethylenes are prepared by a catalytic process which comprises contacting a halo-bis(hydroxyaryl)ethylene, carbon monoxide, an oxidant, a base, and a Group VIIIB element selected from ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium or platinum. The resulting halo-(carbonyldioxyaryl)-ethylenes are useful as flame retardents for thermoplastic polymeric materials.

Abstract: A method is provided for continuously converting aromatic bis(ether N-organo substituted phthalimides) to aromatic bis (ether anhydrides) by heating a biphasic aqueous-organic mixture of aromatic bis(ether N-organo substituted phthalimide), phthalic acid and an exchange catalyst in a heated coiled tube reactor to produce an aqueous phase containing aromatic bis (ether phthalic acid) and an organic phase containing N-organo substituted phthalimide which can then be separated and aromatic bis(ether phthalic anhydride) recovered from the aqueous phase.