Abstract: A process for making bis(ether anhydrides) employs alkylamines having low melting temperatures thus allowing for novel intermediate process steps for preparing bis(ether anhydrides). The alkylamines have alkyl groups which contain at least three carbon atoms and have boiling temperatures in the range of 48 to 250.degree. C. at atmospheric pressure. As a result of using these amines, liquid alkylamines now can be employed in the imidization process step. The N-alkyl nitrophthalimides prepared from the recovered imidization product according to this invention can now be purified using liquid/liquid extraction or vacuum distillation. The alkyl nitrophthalimides prepared according to this invention provide for displacement reactions which now can be run at a high solids level. Likewise, the exchange reaction can be run at a higher solids level, and thus achieves an efficiency level which is higher than conventional processes.

Abstract: A process for making bis(ether anhydrides) employs alkylamines having low melting temperatures thus allowing for novel intermediate process steps for preparing bis(ether anhydrides). The alkylamines have alkyl groups which contain at least three carbon atoms and have boiling temperatures in the range of 48 to 250.degree. C. at atmospheric pressure. As a result of using these amines, liquid alkylamines now can be employed in the imidization process step. The N-alkyl nitrophthalimides prepared from the recovered imidization product according to this invention can now be purified using liquid/liquid extraction or vacuum distillation. The alkyl nitrophthalimides prepared according to this invention provide for displacement reactions which now can be run at a high solids level. Likewise, the exchange reaction can be run at a higher solids level, and thus achieves an efficiency level which is higher than conventional processes.

Abstract: A process for making bis(ether anhydrides) employs alkylamines having low melting temperatures thus allowing for novel intermediate process steps for preparing bis(ether anhydrides). The alkylamines have alkyl groups which contain at least three carbon atoms and have boiling temperatures in the range of 48.degree. to 250.degree. C. at atmospheric pressure. As a result of using these amines, liquid alkylamines now can be employed in the imidization process step. The N-alkyl nitrophthalimides prepared from the recovered imidization product according to this invention can now be purified using liquid/liquid extraction or vacuum distillation. The alkyl nitrophthalimides prepared according to this invention provide for displacement reactions which now can be run at a high solids level. Likewise, the exchange reaction can be run at a higher solids level, and thus achieves an efficiency level which is higher than conventional processes.

Abstract: A process for making bis(ether anhydrides) employs alkylamines having low melting temperatures thus allowing for novel intermediate process steps for preparing bis(ether anhydrides). The alkylamines have alkyl groups which contain at least three carbon atoms and have boiling temperatures in the range of 48.degree. to 250.degree. C. at atmospheric pressure. As a result of using these amines, liquid alkylamines now can be employed in the imidization process step. The N-alkyl nitrophthalimides prepared from the recovered imidization product according to this invention can now be purified using liquid/liquid extraction or vacuum distillation. The alkyl nitrophthalimides prepared according to this invention provide for displacement reactions which now can be run at a high solids level. Likewise, the exchange reaction can be run at a higher solids level, and thus achieves an efficiency level which is higher than conventional processes.

Abstract: A method for preparing an aromatic ether bisimide is provided. The mixture obtained from reacting a substituted phthalimide with a metal salt of a hydroxy aromatic compound in a non-polar solvent is extracted with about 4% to about 6% by weight aqueous alkali hydroxide solution to remove the reaction's by-products and thus provide substantially pure aromatic ether bisimide. The method is particularly suitable for extracting aromatic ether bisimide by-products from a continuous process preparing aromatic ether bisimide.

Abstract: A process for preparing a polyetherimide-polyimide copolymer by (a) reacting a bis (ether anhydride) with a stoichiometric excess of an organic diamine in an inert, non-polar solvent to form an amine-terminated oligomer-solvent mixture; (b) removing unreacted organic diamine from the oligomer-solvent mixture; and (c) reacting the oligomer with an aromatic dianhydride.

Abstract: Method of preparing aromatic bisimides by effecting a reaction between a 3-substituted N-arylphthalimide and an aromatic dihydroxy dianion compound by refluxing in a non-polar organic solvent. Advantageously, the method eliminates the need for using a phase transfer catalyst or a dipolar aprotic solvent.

Abstract: Aromatic bis(ether phthalimide) compounds of the formula (I): ##STR1## are synthesized by reacting a phthalimide of the formula (II): ##STR2## with a stoichiometric excess of an alkali metal diphenoxide salt of the formula (III):M--O--R.sub.2 --O--M (III)in the presence of a catalytic amount of a phase transfer catalyst, in a anhydrous nonpolar organic solvent under ether-forming conditions. Impurities are removed by solid-liquid separation techniques, such as filtering at a temperature at which the compound of formula (I) is substantially completely soluble while alkali metal salt impurities are substantially insoluble. The compound of formula (I) is recovered from the filtrate in high yields and at high purity.

Abstract: An improved solution polymerization process for the preparation of polyetherimides comprises prereacting an aromatic bis(ether anhydride) with an aromatic diamine, followed by the addition of phthalic anhydride end capping agent and further reaction to form an end capped prepolymer. The prepolymer is converted to polyetherimide. The improved process advantageously greatly reduces the formation of PAMI, an undesired byproduct.

Abstract: A method is provided for making aromatic ether imides in the substantial absence of a solvent. A mixture of at least one halo-substituted phthalimide and at least one anhydrous alkali metal phenoxide salt is heated at a temperature at least sufficient to convert the halo-substituted phthalimide to the molten state and below the temperature at which the alkali metal phenoxide is thermally unstable.

Abstract: A simplified method is provided for making aromatic bis-etherphthalimides by employing a polychlorinated C.sub.(1-3) alkane solution of nitro-N-organophthalimide directly with alkali metal bisphenoxide salt in a refluxing nonpolar organic solvent. After the polychlorinated C.sub.(1-3) alkane has completely distilled from the mixture, a phase transfer catalyst is added. As a result, the requirement for isolating and handling nitro-N-organophthalimide solids prior to condensation with alkali metal bisphenoxide salts is thereby eliminated.

Abstract: A process is provided for making bisphenoxide salts by the flash evaporation of water from an aqueous mixture of a bisphenol and an alkali metal hydroxide. Improved control over the stoichiometry of the bisphenol and the alkali metal hydroxide in the aqueous mixture is achieved by monitoring bisphenol content in the aqueous bisphenoxide salt mixture. An extractive organic solvent for the bisphenol is used with an aliquot of the bisphenoxide salt mixture. The stoichiometric balance in the aqueous bisphenoxide salt mixture is determined by measuring the absorbance value of the bisphenol in the organic solvent phase, and comparing it to a known curve obtained by plotting known bisphenol absorbance values and equivalents of alkali metal hydroxide.

Abstract: A method is provided for making alkali metal bis-phenoxide salts by refluxing a heterogenous mixture of a non-polar organic solvent and an aqueous solution of an alkali metal bisphenoxide. These bisphenoxide salts can be used thereafter to make aromatic bis(ether phthalimides) by reaction with nuclear ring substituted N-organo phthalimides.

Abstract: A method is provided for making alkali metal bisphenoxide salts by refluxing a heterogenous mixture of a non-polar organic solvent and an aqueous solution of an alkali metal bisphenoxide. These bisphenoxide salts can be used thereafter to make aromatic bis(ether phthalimides) by reaction with nuclear ring substituted N-organo phthalimides.