Abstract: A method for preparing a polymer-organoclay composite composition comprises combining a solvent and an unexfoliated organoclay to provide a first mixture, wherein the unexfoliated organoclay comprises alternating inorganic silicate layers and organic layers, and has an initial spacing between the silicate layers; exposing the first mixture to an energized condition of a sufficient intensity and duration to increase the initial spacing of the inorganic silicate layers, to provide a second mixture; contacting the second mixture with a polymer composition so that the polymer composition fills at least one region located between at least one pair of silicate layers, wherein the polymer composition is at least partially soluble in the solvent; and removing at least a portion of the solvent from the second mixture, wherein the inorganic silicate layers remain separated by the polymer after removal of the solvent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for removing a neutral or an ionic guanidine compound from aqueous media optionally comprising an alkali metal halide, wherein the method is selected from the group consisting of (a) adsorption onto a carbonaceous adsorbent, (b) adsorption onto a clay adsorbent, (c) filtration through a nanofiltration membrane, and (d) removal of water and calcination.

Abstract: An article including a metallic substrate is presented. The article further includes a sacrificial layer disposed on a surface of the substrate and an anti-fouling layer disposed on the sacrificial layer. The anti-fouling layer includes a metal-polymer composite. An article including an anti-fouling layer having a nitride is also presented.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for measuring and controlling chemical reactions that produce thermoplastic polymers by utilizing a stoichiometry correction during a reaction cycle to produce thermoplastic resins with desired properties. The thermoplastic polymer is made from at least one first monomer having a first reactive end group and at least one second monomer having a second reactive end group by reaction of the first reactive end group with the second reactive end group and has a glass transition temperature of greater than 130° C.

Abstract: A method of preparing a halophthalic acid is disclosed which comprises the steps of contacting in a liquid phase reaction mixture at least one halogen-substituted ortho-xylene with oxygen and acetic acid at a temperature in a range between about 120° C. and about 220° C. in the presence of a catalyst system yielding a product mixture comprising less than 10 percent halogen-substituted ortho-xylene starting material, a halophthalic acid product, and less than about 10,000 ppm halobenzoic acid and less than about 1000 ppm halophthalide by-products based on a total amount of halophthalic acid present in the product mixture. In addition methods for the preparation of halophthalic anhydride, and recovery of high purity acetic acid from an aqueous acetic acid stream comprising HCl, which is generated during the preparation of the halophthalic acid are also disclosed.

Abstract: Copolyetherimides compositions having high glass transition temperatures and outstanding ductility are presented. The copolyetherimides having Mw of at least 40,000 comprising isomeric bis(phthalimide) structural units within a relatively narrow range of isomer proportions exhibited Tgs of at least 240° C. and outstanding Notched Izod values. The copolyetherimides comprise oxydianiline residues and structural units of the formulas (I) and (II) (III).

Abstract: A method for the purification of aromatic polyether polymers prepared by a halide displacement polymerization process comprises adsorbing the catalyst with an alkali metal halide to form an adsorbent component and then removing the adsorbent component. Mixtures resulting from this method are also discussed.

Abstract: A method of preparing a halophthalic acid is disclosed which comprises the steps of contacting in a liquid phase reaction mixture at least one halogen-substituted ortho-xylene with oxygen and acetic acid at a temperature in a range between about 120° C. and about 220° C. in the presence of a catalyst system yielding a product mixture comprising less than 10 percent halogen-substituted ortho-xylene starting material, a halophthalic acid product, and less than about 10,000 ppm halobenzoic acid and less than about 1000 ppm halophthalide by-products based on a total amount of halophthalic acid present in the product mixture. In addition methods for the preparation of halophthalic anhydride, and recovery of high purity acetic acid from an aqueous acetic acid stream comprising HCl, which is generated during the preparation of the halophthalic acid are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for purifying a polymer comprising providing a first mixture comprising at least one solvent and at least one polymeric material, diluting the first mixture with veratrole to produce a second mixture in which the polymeric material is substantially dissolved at a temperature less than 100° C., performing at least one step selected from (i) contacting the second mixture with an aqueous wash solution, and (ii) filtering the second mixture.

Abstract: A method for purifying dianhydrides is provided. In one aspect, purified oxybisphthalic anhydrides, intermediates useful in the preparation of polyetherimides are provided. In one embodiment, a first solution containing a dianhydride compound, a solvent, and a phase transfer catalyst is contacted with a solid inorganic adsorbent material having a total pore volume of about 0.5 milliliters/gram or greater and a cumulative pore volume distribution of about 20 percent or greater of particles having a pore diameter in a range between about 3 nanometers and about 20 nanometers. The solution containing the dianhydride compound is then separated from the solid inorganic adsorbent material to provide a purified dianhydride compound which is substantially free of the phase transfer catalyst. The purification technique is especially valuable for preparing high purity oxybisphthalic anhydrides, such as 4,4?-oxybisphthalic anhydride (4,4?-ODPA), which are substantially free of residual phase transfer catalyst.

Abstract: A method of preparing a halophthalic acid is disclosed which comprises the steps of contacting in a liquid phase reaction mixture at least one halogen-substituted ortho-xylene with oxygen and acetic acid at a temperature in a range between about 120° C. and about 220° C. in the presence of a catalyst system yielding a product mixture comprising less than 10 percent halogen-substituted ortho-xylene starting material, a halophthalic acid product, and less than about 10,000 ppm halobenzoic acid and less than about 1000 ppm halophthalide by-products based on a total amount of halophthalic acid present in the product mixture. In addition methods for the preparation of halophthalic anhydride, and recovery of high purity acetic acid from an aqueous acetic acid stream comprising HCl, which is generated during the preparation of the halophthalic acid are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for purifying dianhydrides is provided. In one aspect, purified oxybisphthalic anhydrides, intermediates useful in the preparation of polyetherimides are provided. In one embodiment, a first solution containing a dianhydride compound, a solvent, and a phase transfer catalyst is contacted with a solid inorganic adsorbent material having a total pore volume of about 0.5 milliliters/gram or greater and a cumulative pore volume distribution of about 20 percent or greater of particles having a pore diameter in a range between about 3 nanometers and about 20 nanometers. The solution containing the dianhydride compound is then separated from the solid inorganic adsorbent material to provide a purified dianhydride compound which is substantially free of the phase transfer catalyst. The purification technique is especially valuable for preparing high purity oxybisphthalic anhydrides, such as 4,4?-oxybisphthalic anhydride (4,4?-ODPA), which are substantially free of residual phase transfer catalyst.

Abstract: A method for making polyetherimides is provided by reacting a high purity dianhydride with an aromatic diamine under condensation polymerization conditions. The dianhydrides employed are purified by a method comprising contacting a first solution containing a dianhydride compound, a solvent, and a phase transfer catalyst, with a solid inorganic adsorbent material having a total pore volume of about 0.5 milliliters/gram or greater and a cumulative pore volume distribution of about 20 percent or greater of particles having a pore diameter in a range between about 3 nanometers and about 20 nanometers. The solution containing the dianhydride compound is then separated from the solid inorganic adsorbent material to provide a purified dianhydride compound which is substantially free of the phase transfer catalyst. The purified dianhydrides are then condensed with aromatic diamines to provide polyetherimide compositions which are substantially free of residual phase transfer catalyst.

Abstract: A method for purifying bisimides is provided. In one aspect, purified oxybisphthalimides, intermediates useful in the preparation of polyetherimides are provided. In one embodiment, a first solution containing a bisimide compound, a solvent, and a phase transfer catalyst is contacted with a solid inorganic adsorbent material having a total pore volume of about 0.5 milliliters/gram or greater and a cumulative pore volume distribution of about 20 percent or greater of particles having a pore diameter in a range between about 3 nanometers and about 20 nanometers. The solution containing the bisimide compound is then separated from the solid inorganic adsorbent material to provide a purified bisimide compound which is substantially free of the phase transfer catalyst. The purification technique is especially valuable for preparing high purity oxybisphthalimides, such as 4,4?-oxybis(N-methylphthalimide), which are substantially free of residual phase transfer catalyst.

Abstract: Aromatic polyethers are prepared by displacement polymerization reaction in the presence of a water-immiscible solvent with boiling point at atmospheric pressure of greater than 110° C. and a density ratio to water of greater than 1.1:1 at 20-25° C. The polyethers are purified by processes comprising aqueous extraction, or filtration, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of chlorophthalic acid by liquid phase oxidation of chloro-ortho-xylene is disclosed. The chlorophthalic acid may be dehydrated to form chlorophthalic anhydride which is useful in the synthesis of polyetherimide.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of halophthalic acid by liquid phase oxidation of halo-ortho-xylene is disclosed. The halophthalic acid may be dehydrated to form halophthalic anhydride which is useful in the synthesis of polyetherimide.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of halophthalic acid by liquid phase oxidation of halo-ortho-xylene is disclosed. The halophthalic acid may be dehydrated to form halophthalic anhydride which is useful in the synthesis of polyetherimide.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of halophthalic acid by liquid phase oxidation of halo-ortho-xylene is disclosed. The halophthalic acid may be dehydrated to form halophthalic anhydride which is useful in the synthesis of polyetherimide.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of chlorophthalic acid by liquid phase oxidation of chloro-ortho-xylene is disclosed. The chlorophthalic acid may be dehydrated to form chlorophthalic anhydride which is useful in the synthesis of polyetherimide.