Abstract: A catalyst precursor composition for forming a phenol alkylation catalyst, the composition comprising: 70 to 98 weight percent of abase oxide comprising: magnesium oxide with a Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area from 75 meter2/gram to 220 meter2/gram, preferably from 75 meter2/gram to 140 meter2/gram, more preferably from 90 meter2/gram to 130 meter2/gram; or magnesium carbonate with a Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area of from 100 meter2/gram to 220 meter2/gram, preferably from 120 meter2/gram to 200 meter2/gram; or a combination thereof; at least one metal promoter precursor comprising an iron precursor, a manganese, a vanadium precursor, or a copper precursor; and a pore former, a lubricant, a coke inhibitor; and optionally, a strength additive; and optionally a binder, and a method of alkylating phenol using a catalyst derived from the catalyst precursor.

Abstract: A phenol alkylation catalyst exhibiting a desirable combination of activity, selectivity, and regenerability is prepared from a catalyst precursor that includes specific amounts of magnesium oxide, copper oxide or a copper oxide precursor, a hydrous magnesium aluminosilicate-containing binder, a pore-former, a lubricant, and water. Methods of forming and regenerating the catalyst, as well as a phenol alkylation method, are described.

Abstract: A phenylene ether oligomer composition is disclosed comprising, a phenylene ether oligomer having an external amine content of less than or equal to 1.5 weight percent; and a residual solvent in an amount of 10 to 10000 parts per million by weight, based on the weight of the phenylene ether oligomer composition; wherein the phenylene ether oligomer composition has an intrinsic viscosity of 0.03 to 0.13 deciliter per gram; a glass transition temperature of 135 to 175° C.

Abstract: A method for isolating a phenylene ether oligomer composition includes feeding a solution including a solvent and a phenylene ether oligomer into a thin film evaporator, forming a film on an interior surface of the thin film evaporator, and heating to devolatilize the solvent from the film, to provide a phenylene ether oligomer composition. The thin film evaporator includes cylindrical heating chamber and a rotor having one or more rotor blades, wherein an edge of the one or more rotor blades and the interior surface of the cylindrical heating chamber are separated by a distance of 0.5 to 3.5 millimeters. Phenylene ether oligomer compositions are also described.

Abstract: A phenol alkylation catalyst exhibiting a desirable combination of activity, selectivity, and regenerability is prepared from a catalyst precursor that includes specific amounts of magnesium oxide, copper oxide or a copper oxide precursor, a hydrous magnesium aluminosilicate-containing binder, a pore-former, a lubricant, and water. Methods of forming and regenerating the catalyst, as well as a phenol alkylation method, are described.

Abstract: A method for isolating a phenylene ether oligomer composition includes feeding a solution including a solvent and a phenylene ether oligomer into a thin film evaporator, forming a film on an interior surface of the thin film evaporator, and heating to devolatilize the solvent from the film, to provide a phenylene ether oligomer composition. The thin film evaporator includes cylindrical heating chamber and a rotor having one or more rotor blades, wherein an edge of the one or more rotor blades and the interior surface of the cylindrical heating chamber are separated by a distance of 0.5 to 3.5 millimeters. Phenylene ether oligomer compositions are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are non-dusting poly(phenylene ether) particles comprising 80 to 96 weight percent of poly(phenylene ether) particles having a mean particle size of 1 to 40 micrometers; and 4 to 20 weight percent of a liquid reactive diluent. Poly(alkenyl aromatic) resins, rubber-modified poly(alkenyl aromatic) resins, and hydrogenated, partially hydrogenated, and non-hydrogenated block copolymers of an alkenyl aromatic monomer and a conjugated diene are all excluded from the particles. The liquid reactive diluent is selected from a first polyol having at least two hydroxyl groups per molecule, a first epoxy resin, a first ethylenically unsaturated monomer, a polyether-modified polysiloxane, and combinations thereof. Also disclosed are compositions comprising the non-dusting poly(phenylene ether) particles and a thermoset composition, wherein the liquid reactive diluent is reactive with the components of the thermoset composition.