Abstract: Polyphenylene ethers are prepared from monohydric phenols, which possess alkyl substituents in the two ortho-positions and, if desired, in the meta-position, but not in the para-position, by an oxidative coupling reaction with oxygen at from 15.degree. to 50.degree. C. and under from 1 to 10 bar in the presence of a catalyst complex, of a solvent and, if required, of an activator, by a method in which the conversion of the phenols is carried out in two more reaction zones, in which some or all of the solvent, the catalyst complex and the phenols and, where relevant, the activator is initially taken and is circulated by means of a conveying unit, and about 60-100% of the stoichiometric amount of oxygen required for the oxidative coupling is introduced into the first reaction zone and from 0 to about 40% of the said stoichiometric amount is introduced into the second reaction zone.

Abstract: Molding materials containing high molecular weight polyphenylene ethers are produced by a process in which a solution of a polyphenylene ether in an organic solvent, together with another polymer, is freed of solvent by multi-stage evaporation.The solvent is preferably an aromatic compound from the class comprising the hydrocarbons, halohydrocarbons, ethers or esters, the ratio of the other polymer to the polyphenylene ether is advantageously from 99:1 to 20:80 parts by weight, the other polymer is, in particular, a homopolymer or copolymer of styrene or of a homolog thereof, which may be modified with rubber, and the multi-stage evaporation process preferably comprises not less than two and not more than four working up stages.The evaporation is carried out in general at from 120.degree. to 280.degree. C. and under a pressure of from 1 to 3,000 mbar, advantageously in the presence of assistants which reduce the partial pressure, eg. water and/or methanol.