Abstract: Process for the manufacture of modified polyphenylene ether or structurally related polymers, comprising the reaction of polyphenylene ether or structurally related polymer with a cyclic acid anhydride, in the presence of a non nucleophilic base, and in an inert polar organic solvent and preferably in a vinyl substituted aromatic monomer as solvent; modified polyphenylene ethers so obtained and use of them for the manufacture of modified high temperature rigid poly(vinyl substituted aromatic) polymer compositions.

Abstract: Process for the manufacture of modified polyphenyl ether or structurally related polymers comprising the reaction of said compound with a para substituted phenylsulphonyl halide, in the presence of a substituted pyridine derivative as catalyst and an acid neutralizing agent, and in a vinyl substituted aromatic monomer as solvent; modified polyphenylene ethers or structurally related polymers so obtained and use of them for the manufacture of modified high temperature rigid poly(vinyl substituted aromatic) polymer compositions.

Abstract: Process for the manufacture of modified polyphenylene ether or structurally related polymers comprising:the reaction of polyphenylene ether or structurally related polymer with a non-cyclic acid anhydride, in the presence of a pyridine derivative substituted by an amine group as catalyst, and in a vinyl substituted aromatic monomer as solvent;modified polyphenylene ethers so obtained and use of them for the manufacture of modified high temperature rigid poly(vinyl substituted aromatic) polymer compositions.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of stable interpenetrating polymer blend networks is provided, comprising the preparation of a gel of a poly(alkylene) polymer by dissolving it in a mixture of one or more organic solvents and one or more vinyl aromatic monomers, optionally mixed with a compatible monomer, cooling this solution to a temperature of at most 80.degree. C., adding of a radical forming initiator for the polymerization of the vinyl aromatic monomer(s), homogenizig the solution, cooling the solution to a temperature to obtain gelation of the polyalkylene polymer in the solvent mixture, followed by heating the obtained gel to a temperature of at least 80.degree. C. and subsequently polymerization of the vinyl aromatic monomer(s) in bulk or suspending the heated solution in a vigorously stirred aqueous medium of a lower temperature to obtain gelation and polymerizing the suspended gel into polymer blend beads, stable interpenetrating polymer blend networks and intermediate gel used therewith.

Abstract: Poly(alkenyl substituted aromatic) and elastomer containing polymer compositions, obtainable by a process comprising:(a) conversion of polyphenylene ether or a structurally related polymer thereof with an acid halide, an acid anhydride or ketene, in at least one alkenyl substituted aromatic monomer;(b) dissolution of at least one EPDM rubber and an optionally partially hydrogenated diblock copolymer A--B, optionally mixed with minor amounts of triblock copolymers ABA, wherein A represents a poly(alkenyl aromatic) block and B represents an optionally, partially hydrogenated poly conjugated diene block;(c) prepolymerization of the obtained mixture until a polymerization degree of from 5 to 20%;(d) suspending the prepolymerized mass into an aqueous medium;(e) polymerization by thermal initiation or by initiation by means of at least one free radical initiator, optionally in the presence of an expanding agent;and a process for the preparation of such polymer compositions.

Abstract: Process for the manufacture of modified polyphenylene ether or structurally related polymers comprising:the reaction of polyphenylene ether or structurally related polymer with a non-cyclic acid anhydride, in the presence of a pyridine derivative substituted by an amine group as catalyst, and in a vinyl substituted aromatic monomer as solvent;modified polyphenylene ethers so obtained and use of them for the manufacture of modified high temperature rigid poly (vinyl substituted aromatic) polymer compositions.