Abstract: A polyarylene sulfide free of inorganic contaminants, especially residues of inorganic polymerization catalysts, is produced by the free radical, ring-opening polymerization of a cyclic thioether.

Abstract: Novel fumaronitriles and dicyanophenanthrenes, for example, bis(4-fluorophenyl)fumaronitrile and 3,6-difluoro-9,10-dicyanophenanthrene which can be produced from the fumaronitrile, produce useful homopolymers and copolymers for high temperature applications; the homopolymers and copolymers derived from the dicyanophenanthrenes can be converted to colored phthalocyanine group-containing polymers which are soluble in organic solvents and can be cast as films which may form the charge generating layer of an electrophotography device.

Abstract: Novel fumaronitriles and dicyanophenanthrenes, for example, bis(4-fluorophenyl)fumaronitrile and 3,6-difluoro-9,10-dicyanophenanthrene which can be produced from the fumaronitrile, produce useful homopolymers and copolymers for high temperature applications; the homopolgymers and copolymers derived from the dicyanophenanthrenes can be converted to coloured phthalocyanine group-containing polymers which are soluble in organic solvents and can be cast as films which may form the charge generating layer of an electrophotography device.

Abstract: Low molecular weight cyclic oligomers of formula (I) ##STR1## in which n is an integer of 2 to 20, and each C in the oligomer is a radical of formula (II): ##STR2## and each X in the oligomer is --O--R--O-- or --S--R--S--, B and D are both carbonyl groups CO, or together represent a divalent radical of formula ##STR3## in which A.sub.1, A.sub.2, A.sub.3 A.sub.4, Ar.sub.1, Ar.sub.2 and Ar.sub.3 are selected from a variety of aromatic radicals, A.sub.1, A.sub.2, Ar.sub.3 and Ar.sub.4 also possibly being hydrogen, are useful in the production of high molecular weight, linear, polyketones, polyphthalazines and polyisoquinolines; the cyclic oligomers have low melt viscosities when heated above their softening temperatures and can be readily molded, whereafter they can be ring-open polymerized to form molded high molecular weight polymer products with excellent properties.

Abstract: Bis-N-aminoimides of formula (III): ##STR1## wherein m is 0 or 1 and is a mono- or polycyclic aromatic radical, can be employed to produce a variety of polymers of the type produced from diamines, including polyimides having an N--N linkage; polymers can be produced having exceptionally high glass transition temperatures, but which are also soluble in organic solvents; colored polymers and electroconductive polymers and photoconductive polymers can also be produced.

Abstract: Hydroxy-substituted-bis-phenyl cyclopropanes of formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are selected from H or OH, at least one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 being o, m or p-OH, are useful as monomers to provide cross-linkable polymers useful in fiber reinforced plastics, thermosetting molding compounds, elastomers, advanced composites and other applications; the compounds (I) may be produced by the base catalyzed decomposition of a pyrazoline of formula (II): ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are as defined hereinbefore.

Abstract: Novel fumaronitriles and dicyanophenanthrenes, for example, bis(4-fluorophenyl)fumaronitrile and 3,6-difluoro-9,10-dicyanophenanthrene which can be produced from the fumaronitrile, produce useful homopolymers and copolymers for high temperature applications; the homopolgymers and copolymers derived from the dicyanophenanthrenes can be converted to colored phthalocyanine group-containing polymers which are soluble in organic solvents and can be cast as films which may form the charge generating layer of an electrophotography device.

Abstract: Bis-N-aminoimides of formula (III): ##STR1## wherein m is 0 or 1 and ##STR2## is a mono- or polycyclic aromatic radical, can be employed to produce a variety of polymers of the type produced from diamines, including polyimides having an N--N linkage; polymers can be produced having exceptionally high glass transition temperatures, but which are also soluble in organic solvents; colored polymers and electroconductive polymers and photoconductive polymers can also be produced.

Abstract: Low molecular weight cyclic oligomers of formula (I) ##STR1## in which n is an integer of 2 to 20, and each C in the oligomer is a radical of formula (II): ##STR2## and each X in the oligomer is --O--R--O-- or --S--R--S--, B and D are both carbonyl groups CO, or together represent a divalent radical of formula ##STR3## in which A.sub.1, A.sub.2, A.sub.3 A.sub.4, Ar.sub.1, Ar.sub.2 and Ar.sub.3 are selected from a variety of aromatic radicals, A.sub.1, A.sub.2, Ar.sub.3 and Ar.sub.4 also possibly being hydrogen, are useful in the production of high molecular weight, linear, polyketones, polyphthalazines and polyisoquinolines; the cyclic oligomers have low melt viscosities when heated above their softening temperatures and can be readily molded, whereafter they can be rings-open polymerized to form molded high molecular weight polymer products with excellent properties.

Abstract: Diarylacetylenes and diarylenamines are synthesized from a Schiff's base and an N-arylmethylheterocycle; these compounds are useful as intermediates for a variety of polymers; in particular an efficient process is provided for producing diaryl acetylenes useful in the efficient production of acetylene group-containing polymers which can be cross-linked to produce high strength polymers free of structural defects such as conventionally arise as a result of liberation of volatiles during the cross-linking.

Abstract: Novel fumaronitriles and dicyanophenanthrenes, for example, bis(4-fluorophenyl)fumaronitrile and 3,6-difluoro-9,10-dicyanophenanthrene which can be produced from the fumaronitrile, produce useful homopolymers and copolymers for high temperature applications; the homopolgymers and copolymers derived from the dicyanophenanthrenes can be converted to colored phthalocyanine group-containing polymers which are soluble in organic solvents and can be cast as films which may form the charge generating layer of an electrophotography device.

Abstract: Bis-N-aminoimides of formula (III): ##STR1## wherein m is 0 or 1 and is a mono- or polycyclic aromatic radical, can be employed to produce a variety of polymers of the type produced from diamines, including polyimides having an N--N linkage; polymers can be produced having exceptionally high glass transition temperatures, but which are also soluble in organic solvents; coloured polymers and electroconductive polymers and photoconductive polymers can also be produced.

Abstract: Amorphous polymers which are soluble in organic solvents and can thus be cast as films have high glass transition temperatures which make them suitable for numerous high temperature applications; the polymers comprise ortho aromatic polyketones, polyphthalazines and polyisoquinolines, the polyphthalazines and polyisoquinolines being readily formed from the polyketones.

Abstract: Homopolymers and copolymers with high Tg's are produced from phthalazones which in turn are produced from phenolphthalein as a readily available starting material; the homopolymers may be represented by formula (IX): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, which may be the same or different, are selected from hydrogen, fluorine, phenyl and fluorophenyl, each m, which may be the same or different, is an integer of 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, and n is an integer of 2 to 200. Novel phenyl substituted phenolphthaleins and novel hydroxybenzoylbenzoic acids, as well as novel phthalazones, all of which may be employed in the preparation of homopolymers and copolymers of the invention, are also provided.

Abstract: Polymers and copolymers having high glass transition temperature and which are soluble in organic solvents are produced from highly hindered biphenols, in particular polyetherketones, polyethersulfones, polyesters and polyetherimides, as well as copolymers based on these polymers may be produced for a variety of applications.

Abstract: Aromatic sulfides including diarylsulfides and poly(arylene sulfides) are produced in a novel synthesis in high yield under moderate conditions by heating an aromatic disulfide in the presence of aromatic halide, in which the halide is chloride, bromide or iodide; the diaryl sulfides are useful precursors and starting materials for a range of compounds and the poly(arylene sulfides) are important high temperature engineering thermoplastics.

Abstract: Homopolymers and copolymers with high Tg's are produced from phthalazones which in turn are produced from phenolphthalein as a readily available starting material; the homopolymers may be represented by formula (IX): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, which may be the same or different, are selected from hydrogen, fluorine, phenyl and fluorophenyl, each m, which may be the same or different, is an integer of 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, and n is an integer of 2 to 200. Novel phenyl substituted phenolphthaleins and novel hydroxybenzoylbenzoic acids, as well as novel phthalazones, all of which may be employed in the preparation of homopolymers and copolymers of the invention, are also provided.

Abstract: Diarylacetylenes and diarylenamines are synthesized from a Schiff's base and an N-arylmethylheterocycle; these compounds are useful as intermediates for a variety of polymers; in particular an efficient process is provided for producing diaryl acetylenes useful in the efficient production of acetylene group-containing polymers which can be cross-linked to produce high strength polymers free of structural defects such as conventionally arise as a result of liberation of volatiles during the cross-linking.

Abstract: 9,9-Bis(3,5-diphenyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)fluorene a novel compound can be used to produce amorphous poly(arylene ethers) which have high glass transition temperatures and good thermo-oxidative stability and which are soluble in aromatic and chlorinated solvents; the novel fluorene derivative is produced by transalkylation of 9,9-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)fluorene or 9,9-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)fluorene with 2,6-diphenylphenol.

Abstract: A novel synthesis of aromatic tertiary amines involves reacting an aromatic anil and an aromatic ether in a molar ratio of 1:1; adjusting the ratio to 2:1 produces novel enamines and by employing a two step process for enamine production, various unsymmetrically substituted enamines can be obtained which are readily hydrolyzed to corresponding deoxybenzoins which in turn are readily oxidized to benzils, the aromatic tertiary amines may be used to produce charge transport layers in xerography, while the benzils may be used to produce a variety of desired polymers.