Abstract: Linear, branched and/or cross-linked block polymers of polyphenylene oxides and polystyrene are described. The polyphenylene oxide-polystyrene block polymers can be molded, calendered, or extruded as films, sheets, fibers, laminates or other useful articles of manufacture.

Abstract: New polymers comprising acyl capped quinone-coupled polyphenylene oxides are described. The resulting new polymers have improved color and in combination with styrene resins provide thermoplastic compositions having improved chemical and physical properties.

Abstract: Heterocyclic-coupled linear, branched and/or crosslinked polymers of polyphenylene oxides are described which comprise poly-functional heterocyclic radicals coupled with mono- and/or polyphenoxy radicals derived from (a) polyphenylene oxides having an average hydroxyl group per molecule value greater than zero including 1.0 or less, or (b) polyphenylene oxide-quinone coupled polymers having an average hydroxyl group per molecule value greater than zero including 2.0 or less, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A process is disclosed which provides for an increase in the oxidative and/or thermal stability of quinone coupled polyphenylene oxides which comprises contacting quinone-coupled polyphenylene oxides with a capping agent in the presence of a water soluble base, and a catalytic phase transfer agent. The resulting new polymers have improved color and in combination with styrene resins provide thermoplastic compositions having improved chemical and physical properties.

Abstract: A poly(hydroxy) telechelic styrene polymer polymerization process comprising contacting an olefin, a free radical polymerization initiator, and a poly(hydroxyorgano) polysulfide is described. The poly(hydroxy) terminated styrene polymers can be end-capped and/or coupled with other polymeric materials. The styrene polymers can be molded, calendered, or extruded as films, sheets, fibers, laminates or other useful articles of manufacture.

Abstract: Linear, branched and/or cross-linked acyl coupled polymers of quinone-coupled polyphenylene oxides are described which comprise di- and/or tri-functional acyl radicals coupled with polyphenoxy radicals, said polyphenoxy radicals being derived from quinone-coupled polyphenylene oxides having an average hydroxyl group per molecule value greater than zero including 2.0 or less. The resulting polyphenylene oxides can be used to prepare various articles of manufacture.

Abstract: A process of forming heterocyclic-coupled linear, branched and/or cross-linked polymers of polyphenylene oxides is described which comprises contacting heterocyclic halides with (a) polyphenylene oxides having an average hydroxyl group per molecule value greater than zero including 1.0 or less, or (b) quinone-coupled polyphenylene oxides having an average hydroxyl group per molecule value greater than zero including 2.0 or less, including mixtures of (a) and (b).

Abstract: A process of forming linear, branched and/or cross-linked acyl-coupled polymers of quinone-coupled polyphenylene oxides is described which comprises contacting di- and/or tri-functional acyl halides with quinone-coupled polyphenylene oxides having an average hydroxyl group per molecule value greater than zero including 2.0 or less.

Abstract: Phosphorus containing linear, branched and/or crosslinked block polymers of polyphenylene oxides are described which comprise di- and/or tri-functional phosphoryl radicals coupled with mono- and/or polyphenoxy radicals, said polyphenoxy radicals being derived from (a) polyphenylene oxides having an average hydroxyl group per molecule value greater than zero including 1.0 or less, or (b) polyphenylene oxide-quinone coupled polymers having an average hydroxyl group per molecule value greater than zero including 2.0 or less, and mixtures thereof. The resulting polyphenylene oxides can be used to prepare flame-retardant polyphenylene oxide articles of manufacture.

Abstract: A process of forming phosphorus containing linear, branched and/or cross-linked polymers of polyphenylene oxides is described which comprises contacting phosphoryl halides with (a) polyphenylene oxides having an average hydroxyl group per molecule value greter than zero including 1.0 or less, or (b) quinone-coupled polyphenylene oxides having an average hydroxyl group per molecule value greater than zero including 2.0 or less, including mixtures of (a) and (b).

Abstract: A poly(organosiloxy) telechelic styrene polymer polymerization process comprising contacting an olefin, a free radical polymerization initiator, and a poly(organosiloxyaryl) polysulfide is described. The poly(organosiloxy) terminated styrene polymers can be end capped and/or coupled with other polymeric materials. The styrene polymers can be molded, calendered, or extruded as films, sheets, fibers, laminates or other useful articles of manufacture.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with a new class of polyetherimide-polyester blends. More particularly, the invention is concerned with polyetherimide-polyester blends which exhibit melt viscosities lower than those associated with the polyetherimide component of the blends. The polyetherimide-polyester blends are suitable for the manufacture of filaments, fibers, films, molding compounds, coatings, etc.

Abstract: A process of forming a quinone-coupled polyphenylene oxide is described which comprises contacting a polyphenylene oxide, wherein said contacting is carried out with a quinone in the substantial absence of any monophenol reactant and any active oxidative coupling catalyst system. The resulting new polymers have improved color and in combination with styrene resins provide thermoplastic compositions having improved chemical and physical properties.

Abstract: Process of forming polyphenylene oxide under polymer forming reaction conditions which comprises contacting an aminophenol with another phenol in the presence of an effective oxidative coupling catalyst. The resulting polyphenylene oxide resins in combination with styrene resins provide thermoplastic compositions having improved impact strength properties.

Abstract: A process for the reduction in the color of polyphenylene oxide resins comprising contacting the oxide resin with a phase transfer agent and a dithionite or a thiosulfate reducing agent. The resulting polyphenylene oxide resins which are substantially free of color can be used to prepare improved molded, calendered, or extruded articles, films, coatings, threads, filaments, tapes and the like.

Abstract: Carbon fiber-polyetherimide matrix composites are provided, based on the use of polyetherimide having terminal nitro groups. The carbon fiber-polyetherimide composites have high strength, high modulus and superior solvent resistance.

Abstract: A process is disclosed which provides for the reduction of the occurrence of oxidative and/or thermal degradation of polyphenylene oxides by contacting the oxides with a capping agent in the presence of a water soluble base, a catalytic phase transfer agent, and, optionally, an effective organic phase reducing agent. The resulting capped polyphenylene oxides can be used to prepare improved articles of manufacture using conventional techniques such as molding, vacuum forming, extrusion, etc.

Abstract: Certain polyacetylenes are provided having chemically combined ether linkages, or alkylene linkages and mixtures thereof, exhibiting improved compatability with various organic plasticizers. The polyacetylenes have been found to be melt extrudable, and convertible to carbonaceous films and molded carbon objects.

Abstract: Polyacetylenes, either homopolymers or copolymers, are rendered more soluble and/or more thermally stable without destroying their film-forming properties and with minimal decrease in their high carbon content by reacting them with one or more 2,3,4,5-tetrasubstituted cyclopentadiones commonly called tetracyclones. These latter compounds, together with the acetylenic groups of the polymer, undergo a cyclization reaction to produce a 3,4,5,6-tetrasubstituted 1,2-phenylene moiety in the polymer backbone. Because of their high thermal stability these polymers are especially useful as binders for graphite fibers in making graphite composites or to produce films or coatings for high temperature applications.

Abstract: When a hot, homogeneous solution containing at least 4 percent by weight of a copolymer of a diethynylbenzene and a dipropargyl ether of a dihydric phenol in nitrobenzene or a liquid halobenzene solvent is allowed to cool in contact with a shaping surface, a shaped gel is formed. Contacting the shaped article with a lower alkyl ketone which is a nonsolvent for the acetylenic polymer but in which the halobenzene is soluble and then allowing the shaped object to dry causes the gel to shrink isotropically so that it retains the shape, although diminished in size, which it assumed on solidifying. If the halobenzene solvent is crystalline at room temperature, the solvent crystallizes in the polymer matrix as it cools. Extraction with a lower alkyl ketone or sublimation of the solvent crystals produces a shaped article having a microporous structure.