Abstract: An alkylation method comprises reacting a hydroxy aromatic compound with an alkyl alcohol in the presence of an alkylation catalyst comprising a metal oxide wherein the alkylation catalyst, has a surface area to volume ratio of about 950 to about 4,000 m2/m3, an aspect ratio of about 0.7 to about 1.0 or a combination of the foregoing.

Abstract: An alkylation catalyst comprises a metal oxide wherein the catalyst has a surface area to volume ratio of about 950 m2/m3 to about 4000 m2/m3.

Abstract: A process for removal of a catalyst from a polymerization reaction mixture, comprises adding at least one polar solution to the reaction mixture to form a first at least two phase mixture, wherein one phase of the first at least two phase mixture is a first polymer phase; liquid/liquid centrifuging the first at least two phase mixture to separate the phases; removing the first polymer phase from the first at least two phase mixture; adding water to the first polymer phase to form a second at least two phase mixture, where one phase of the second at least two phase mixture is a second polymer phase; and separating the second polymer phase from the second at least two phase mixture.

Abstract: Poly(arylene ether) resins having intrinsic viscosities greater than about 0.8 dL/g are produced in the reaction of a phenol with oxygen in the presence of an organic solvent and a metal complex catalyst, the phenol concentration being about 5 to about 15 weight percent of the sum of phenol and solvent, and the molar ratio of metal in the metal complex catalyst to the phenol being about 1:100 to about 1:200.

Abstract: A process for removal of a catalyst from a polymerization reaction mixture, comprises adding at least one polar solution to the reaction mixture to form a first at least two phase mixture, wherein one phase of the first at least two phase mixture is a first polymer phase; liquid/liquid centrifuging the first at least two phase mixture to separate the phases; removing the first polymer phase from the first at least two phase mixture; adding water to the first polymer phase to form a second at least two phase mixture, where one phase of the second at least two phase mixture is a second polymer phase; and separating the second polymer phase from the second at least two phase mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to substantially pure poly(arylene ether), e.g. purities exceeding about 99%, and to a method for making the same. The method which eliminates multiple rinses with a complexing reagent includes removing the catalyst from the polymerization mixture by mixing the polymerization mixture with a complexing reagent and liquid/liquid centrifuging the multiphase mixture. Water is then added to the polymer phase prior to a subsequent liquid/liquid centrifuge process. Once the catalyst has been sufficiently removed, the polymer can be concentrated in a flash vessel (which is not heated) by introducing a heated polymer phase to the vessel at a high pressure and quickly reducing the pressure. The concentrated polymer can then be introduced to an extruder to produce the high purity polymer. Due to the introduction of low molecular weight poly(arylene ether) at the intake zone of the extruder, essentially pure poly(arylene ether) can be isolated by this process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing aromatic polycarbonate according to the two-phase interface process. The molecular weight is controlled by the addition of a chain stopper. The use of a phenolic chloroformate as a chain stopper leads to a polycarbonate having a low content of volatile constituents.