Abstract: Aryldialkylmethanes such as cumene are converted to the corresponding hydroperoxides by reaction with oxygen in the presence of a promoter which may be an alkali metal borate such as borax, an alkali metal salt of a polymer such as an acrylic polymer, or an alkaline reagent in combination with a specific proportion of added water or water of hydration, also exemplified by borax. High yields of the hydroperoxide are obtained, particularly when the promoter includes water.

Abstract: Macrocyclic polyether oligomers, preferably as mixtures of oligomers of different degrees of polymerization, are incorporated in a direct displacement reaction mixture for the formation of polyetherimides, said reaction mixture comprising at least one alkali metal salt of a dihydroxy-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon and at least one bis(halo- or nitrophthalimide). The macrocyclic oligomers can be isolated from an earlier-prepared linear polyetherimide composition. Their incorporation in the reaction mixture does not increase the proportion of oligomers in the polyetherimide product.

Abstract: Aromatic polyether polymers, illustrated by polyethersulfones, polyetherketones and polyetherimides, are prepared by a phase transfer catalyzed reaction between a salt of at least one dihydroxyaromatic compound and at least one substituted aromatic compound such as bis(4-chlorophenyl) sulfone, bis(4-chlorophenyl) ketone or 1,3-bis?N-(4-chlorophthalimido)!benzene, in a monoalkoxybenzene such as anisole as diluent and in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst, preferably a hexaalkylguanidinium salt.

Abstract: Aromatic polyether polymers, illustrated by polyethersulfones, polyetherketones and polyetherimides, are prepared by a phase transfer catalyzed reaction between a hydrate of a salt of a dihydroxyaromatic compound and a substituted aromatic compound such as bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) sulfone, bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) ketone or 1,3-bis[N-(4-chlorophthalimido)]benzene. Isolation of the hydrate and its conversion to the anhydrous salt prior to the polymerization reaction affords a polymer of higher molecular weight than other methods of preparing the anhydrous salt.