Abstract: A two-step process to make a poly(arylene sulfide sulfone) polymer containing ether groups having high molecular weights is described. In the first step an aromatic diphenol, a dihaloaromatic sulfone, a polar organic compound and an alkali metal base are reacted at an elevated temperature for a time period in the range of 1 minute to 2 hours. A sulfur source is then added to form a poly(arylene sulfide sulfone) polymer containing ether groups. An alkali metal carboxylate is also present in the second step. The polymers prepared by the invention method exhibit higher inherent viscosities, indicating higher molecular weight.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the inventive process comprises: (a) preparing a first slurry comprising a first particulate PAS resin and a polar organic compound, (b) heating the first slurry to a temperature in the range of about 20.degree. C. (68.degree. F.) to about 40.degree. C. (104.degree. F.) below the liquid-to-solid phase transitional temperature of the first particulate resin, and (c) rapidly cooling the first slurry to below about 50.degree. C. (122.degree. F.) below the liquid-to-solid phase transitional temperature of the first particulate resin in the polar organic compound to form a second slurry, comprising the polar organic compound and a polymeric mixture comprising a novel particulate high molecular weight PAS resin and a minor amount of a particulate low molecular weight PAS resin.

Abstract: A method for recovering a crystalline poly(arylene sulfide) from a slurry comprising a particulate poly(arylene sulfide), a polar organic compound, and water, said method comprising:(a) substantially liquefying said particulate poly(arylene sulfide) to form a liquid mixture comprising said substantially liquified poly(arylene sulfide) and said polar organic compound;(b) contacting said liquid mixture with a vaporized separation agent in an amount sufficient to effect a separation between said poly(arylene sulfide) and said polar organic compound;(c) reducing the temperature of said liquid mixture sufficiently to solidify said substantially liquified poly(arylene sulfide) to form a slurry comprising a particulate poly(arylene sulfide); and(d) recovering said particulate poly(arylene sulfide) from said slurry.

Abstract: A reinforced plastic is provided which comprises a poly(arylene sulfide sulfone) polymer matrix and fibrous reinforcement. The fibrous reinforcement is treated with a poly(arylene sulfide sulfone) polymer containing ether groups prior to forming the reinforced plastic. Such treatment improves the mechanical strength of the reinforced plastic.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing more granular (i.e., higher bulk density) particulate poly(arylene sulfide ketone) or poly(arylene sulfide diketone) resins having associated therewith improved processability and thermal stability, without generating pressures significantly greater than those generated during polymerization reactions of particulate poly(arylene sulfide ketone) or poly(arylene sulfide diketone) resins.

Abstract: A process for dimerizing ethylene comprising contacting ethylene with an insoluble solid catalyst and a cocatalyst, said catalyst having at least on the surface thereof hydrocarbyl ortho ester groups bonded to vanadium or titanium.

Abstract: A method is provided for recovering poly(arylene sulfide) from a mixture comprising a liquid-phase poly(arylene sulfide) and a polar organic compound, wherein the liquid mixture is contacted by an amount of a liquid, vaporized, or mixed phase separation agent at least sufficient to effect or enhance a phase separation of the liquid-phase poly(arylene sulfide) component from the polar organic compound. The poly(arylene sulfide) resins recovered according to this invention generally exhibit uniform particle size and do not tend to adhere to vessel walls during the recovery.

Abstract: Method for making crystalline polymerization catalysts is disclosed which comprises contacting the soluble complex prepared from the combination of a metal dihalide and a transition metal compound with a particulate material comprising silica to produce a solid, and then reacting the solid with an organoaluminum halide. The resulting catalyst component can be further contacted with a halide ion exchanging source selected from halides of Groups IVA and VA. Novel catalysts prepared in accordance with the invention method, polymerization processes therewith and novel polymers, having high bulk density, low levels of polymer fines, and well defined particle size and shape are also disclosed.

Abstract: A reinforced plastic is provided which comprises a continuous long fiber reinforcing material in an ether group-containing poly(arylene sulfide sulfone) polymer matrix.

Abstract: Poly(arylene sulfide/sulfone) polymers prepared using a sulfur-rich reaction mixture are treated in order to increase melt stability by contacting the poly(arylene sulfide/sulfone) polymer with an acidic solution, followed by contacting the polymer with a soluble zinc compound.

Abstract: Fines are reduced in refractory materials by mixing the refractory material with an acid composition in a liquid polar organic compound and thereafter working the mixture until a decrease in volume occurs. The resulting product can be shaped and subjected to conventional finishing treatments. The resulting product exhibits reduced fines and thus is an improved material for use as a catalyst support. The resulting catalyst is of particular utility in the production of film grade ethylene polymer.

Abstract: A method for producing a poly(arylene sulfide/sulfone) polymer is provided which comprises: contacting reactants comprising a dihalogenated aromatic sulfone, an alkali metal sulfide, a polar organic compound, at least one base, an alkali metal carboxylate, and, optionally water, under suitable conditions to initiate a polymerization reaction; thereafter adding an amount of water while maintaining polymerization conditions; then terminating the reaction; and recovering the polymer.The invention method provides for a polymer product wherein the production of low molecular weight product is minimized and high molecular weight yield is maximized.

Abstract: A rapidly crystallizable composition is provided which comprises a poly(arylene sulfide) polymer and a sufficient amount of poly(styrene sulfonic acid salt) to improve the crystallizability of the poly(arylene sulfide) polymer.

Abstract: The tendency of poly(arylene sulfide) resin to cause mold corrosion upon molding is inhibited by mixing, prior to said molding, the poly(arylene sulfide) resin and lithium sulfite alone, or a combination of lithium sulfite and alkali earth metal carbonates, alkali metal or alkaline earth metal borates, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A conjugated diene/monovinyl substituted aromatic hydrocarbon copolymer is stabilized by the addition of a complex acrylate, in combination with at least one of an alkyl thiopropionate, an organic phosphite and a non-acrylate substituted hindered phenolic compound.

Abstract: An improved polymerization catalyst, its preparation, and use are disclosed. The catalyst is one prepared by reacting a benzoic acid ester, an alkoxy titanium compound, and a magnesium halide having alkanol associated therewith to form a first catalyst component then reacting said first catlyst component with an organoaluminum halide and then reacting the resulting solid with a halogenating agent comprising a titanium halide. Also novel crystalline MgCl.sub.2 electron donor complexes are disclosed, one of which, MgCl.sub.2.CH.sub.3 OH, can be used in the preparation of the improved polymerization catalyst herein.

Abstract: A process for the polymerization of olefins comprises contacting at least one olefin with a catalyst prepared by impregnating a support with an aqueous solution of a magnesium compound, drying, treating the dried support with a chlorinating agent, then treating with alcohol, then treating with an etching agent capable of removing residual alcohol, then activating with a halide or haloalkoxide of Ti.

Abstract: The tendency of poly(arylene sulfide) resin to cause mold corrosion upon molding is inhibited by mixing, prior to said molding, the poly(arylene sulfide) resin and lithium sulfite alone, or a combination of lithium sulfite and alkali or alkaline earth metal carbonates, alkali metal or alkaline earth metal borates, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Process is disclosed for the one reaction step preparation of 2-pyrrolidone by contacting with hydrogen, ammonia, at least one diluent and a catalyst consisting essentially of palladium on alumina; wherein the molar ratio of ammonia to succinic acid on succinic anhydride is about 1:1 to about 10:1.

Abstract: The melt crystallization temperature (T.sub.mc) of an arylene sulfide polymer is reduced by incorporating therein an effective amount of an organic phosphite.