Abstract: A process is provided for producing a high molecular weight poly(arylene sulfide) polymer employing at least one dihaloaromatic compound, a sulfur source, a polar organic compound, a lithium salt which is soluble in the polar organic compound, and water in an amount less than about 1.75 moles of water per mole of sulfur under polymerization conditions. The pressure and temperature are chosen to allow the volatile reactants to be maintained in liquid form in the reaction mixture.

Abstract: Complexing reagents are provided which comprise Cu(I) carboxylates or Cu(I) sulfonates and high molecular weight olefins. The invention complexing reagents are useful for separating olefins from mixtures of olefins and paraffins.

Abstract: A method for preparing cuprous carboxylates (Cu(I) carboxylates) is provided wherein Cu(II) carboxylates are reacted with copper powder in an aromatic solvent under a reducing atmosphere, optionally in the presence of at least one of a carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid anhydride. Also, a method for preparing desired Cu(II) carboxylates is provided wherein a Cu(II) carboxylate having fewer carbon atoms is reacted with a carboxylic acid corresponding to the desired Cu(II) carboxylate. The invention method reactions achieve good conversions with rapid rates of reaction. The Cu(I) carboxylates produced according to the invention method are useful as reagents or in the preparation of olefin complexing reagents.

Abstract: A method for preparing cuprous carboxylates (Cu(I) carboxylates) is provided wherein Cu(II) carboxylates are reacted with copper powder in an aromatic solvent under a reducing atmosphere, optionally in the presence of at least one of a carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid anhydride. Also, a method for preparing desired Cu(II) carboxylates is provided wherein a Cu(II) carboxylate having fewer carbon atoms is reacted with a carboxylic acid corresponding to the desired Cu(II) carboxylate. The invention method reactions achieve good conversions with rapid rates of reaction. The Cu(I) carboxylates produced according to the invention method are useful as reagents or in the preparation of olefin complexing reagents.

Abstract: A method for recovering cyclic oligomers from a poly(arylene sulfide) polymer or poly(arylene sulfide) polymerization reaction mixture is provided in which the cyclic oligomers are maintained in a solution comprising a suitable solvent and the cyclic oligomers; then the solution is contacted with water to cause the formation of a suspension; then the suspension is acidified to cause the flocculation of cyclic oligomers which can then be more easily recovered.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing a poly(arylene sulfide) polymer which employs at least one base as a reactant, wherein the base is contacted with the polymerization reaction mixture incrementally during the polymerization.

Abstract: A method for removing oligomers and non-polymeric impurities from poly(arylene sulfide) polymers and producing the polymers in easily recoverable granular form is provided in which a poly(arylene sulfide) polymer associated with oligomers and non-polymeric impurities is contacted with a solvent, water, and optionally, a base, at a sufficient temperature to substantially dissolve the polymer, oligomers and impurities; then the solution is cooled to a temperature at which the poly(arylene sulfide) precipitates while oligomers and impurities remain in solution, then the precipitated polymer is separated from the solution containing the oligomers and impurities. A polymer product produced by this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for preparing cuprous carboxylates (Cu(I) carboxylates) is provided wherein Cu(II) carboxylates are reacted with copper powder in an aromatic solvent under a reducing atmosphere, optionally in the presence of at least one of a carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid anhydride. Also, a method for prepared desired Cu(II) carboxylates is provided wherein a Cu(II) carboxylate having fewer carbon atoms is reacted with a carboxylic acid corresponding to the desired Cu(II) carboxylate. The invention method reactions achieve good conversions with rapid rates of reaction. The Cu(I) carboxylates produced according to the invention method are useful as reagents or in the preparation of olefin complexing reagents.

Abstract: A process for preparing high molecular weight arylene sulfide polymers by dehydrating an aqueous mixture of a sulfur source and a cyclic organic amide to form a dehydrated mixture, contacting the dehydrated mixture with a dihaloaromatic compound to produce a polymerization mixture, polymerizing the polymerization mixture and recovering the arylene sulfide polymer wherein an aqueous alkali metal carboxylate mixture is added to the polymerization mixture after the conversion of the dihaloaromatic compound is about 40 percent to about 30 minutes prior to entering into termination of the polymerization.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing a poly(arylene sulfide) polymer which employs as a reactant cyclic arylene sulfide oligomers.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a poly(arylene sulfide) polymer having reduced amounts of impurities by contacting a poly(arylene sulfide) polymerization reaction mixture with an acid.

Abstract: Poly(arylene sulfide/sulfone) polymers are treated in order to increase melt stability and decrease impurities by contacting the poly(arylene sulfide/sulfone) polymer with a soluble zinc compound and an acidic solution. In one embodiment, the polymer is treated first with the soluble zinc compound, followed by treatment with the acidic solution. In another embodiment, the polymer is treated in one step with a solution comprising a water soluble zinc compound in an acidic solution.

Abstract: A method is provided for selectively extracting the lower molecular weight fraction of a poly(arylene sulfide) polymer by contacting the polymer with a polar organic compound and a promoter compound to form a less dense polymer-lean liquid phase and a more dense polymer-rich liquid phase, separating the polymer-lean liquid phase from the polymer-rich liquid phase, and recovering the polymer from the polymer-rich phase. Alternatively, either of the phases can be isolated and polar organic compound and optionally promoter can be added to form two new phases, followed by isolation of the new polymer-rich phase. This process can be repeated as often as desired or practicable in order to recover polymer having a desired molecular weight and/or molecular weight distribution.

Abstract: An arylene sulfide polymer having derivatized end-groups and a process for preparing derivatized arylene sulfide polymer comprising contacting at an elevated temperature, an arylene sulfide polymer, a compound having the formula ##STR1## wherein R' is selected from the group consisting of an alkyl radical having 1 to about 17 carbon atoms, an aryl radical having 6 to about 16 carbon atoms, and combinations thereof and X is selected from the group consisting of chlorine and bromine, and a solvent which is stable in the presence of the compound and is capable of dissolving the arylene sulfide polymer.

Abstract: A composition is provided which comprises a poly(arylene sulfide) polymer, fibrous reinforcement, a polyolefin polymer, and optionally at least one other component selected from hydrotalcites, nucleating agents, organosilanes, pigments, plasticizers and fillers. The invention provides a poly(arylene sulfide) composition which exhibits improved mold release characteristics and/or a reduced tendency to flash during injection molding applications.

Abstract: A method for making polymerization catalysts is disclosed which comprises contacting a soluble complex prepared from the combination of a metal dihalide and a transition metal compound with a particulate material comprising zirconium phosphate and then reacting the resulting mixture with an organoaluminum halide to produce a catalyst precursor. The catalyst precursor is then contacted with a halogen containing compound selected from halides of Groups IVA and VA to produce the catalyst. Novel catalysts prepared in accordance with the invention method, novel polymerization processes therewith and novel polymers having relatively high melt flow rates while retaining good mechanical strength are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided for the production of poly(arylene sulfide) compositions comprisinga) contacting under suitable conditions a sulfur source, a dihalogenated aromatic compound and optionally other halogenated aromatic compounds, a polar organic compound, a base, and an alkali metal carboxylate in order to form a substantially liquid mixture comprising poly(arylene sulfide) polymer, polar organic compound and water;b) slowly cooling to form a slurry comprising solid poly(arylene sulfide) particles and liquid comprising the polar organic compound and water and adding an effective amount of at least one extraction agent;c) contacting the poly(arylene sulfide) particles with an aqueous solution containing calcium ions; andd) recovering the poly(arylene sulfide) composition.The poly(arylene sulfide) compositions prepared according to the invention method are especially useful for the preparation of fibers and monofilaments.

Abstract: An aromatic sulfide/ketone polymer is prepared from a dihaloaromatic ketone, alkali metal sulfide, water and a polar organic compound. The polymerization reaction mixture is subjected to a heat soak at an elevated temperature, then a separation agent is added under controlled conditions and the mixture is subsequently cooled to provide a mixture comprising particulate aromatic sulfide/ketone polymer. Biaxially-oriented film is made from the recovered particles of aromatic sulfide/ketone polymer by (1) washing the polymer particles with an aqueous calcium salt, (2) heating the washed particles to remove water, (3) molding the heated particles to form a sheet of polymer, (4) biaxially stretching the sheet above the glass transition temperature of the polymer to form a film, and (5) heat-setting the biaxially-oriented film under stretching tension for a time and at a temperature to increase strength properties and density.

Abstract: Complexing reagents are provided which comprise Cu(I) carboxylates or Cu(I) sulfonates and high molecular weight olefins. The invention complexing reagents are useful for separating olefins from mixtures of olefins and paraffins.

Abstract: Fiber reinforced poly(arylene sulfide) compositions are provided which contain at least one azidosilane. The incorporation of the azidosilane results in a composition exhibiting improved tensile strength, flexural strength, and impact strength.