Abstract: Contaminated particulate materials of varying particle sizes are washed and separated by size by a steam washing process which concentrates the contaminant in the small size fraction.

Abstract: A method of removing organic contaminants from contaminated solids in which the solids are comminuted as necessary to resolve them into particles with a top size of typically not more than 15 cm. A slurry of the remaining particles and a contaminant treatment agent which is a mixture of an alcohol and an alkali hydroxide is agitated for a period which is sufficiently long to separate contaminants from the particles. After initial treatment, particles larger than 2 mm can be separated out and processed separately, typically by surficial cleaning. The slurry is thereafter resolved into a predominantly liquid phase containing fines and one or more less contaminated, separately treatable fractions in which solids predominate.

Abstract: Polyetherimides are provided having chemically combined alkylaryl diamine units and method for making. The polyetherimides have similar T.sub.g 's over broad mol percent ranges to polyetherimides made from phenylene diamine units while providing economic cost advantages during manufacture.

Abstract: Polyetherimide bisphenols and bischloroformates are prepared by the reaction of dianhydrides or certain bisimides with aminophenols or mixtures thereof with diamines. They are useful as intermediates for the preparation of cyclic heterocarbonates, which may in turn be converted to linear copolycarbonates. The bisphenols can also be converted to salts which react with cyclic polycarbonate oligomers to form block copolyetherimidecarbonates.

Abstract: Polyetheramideimide is provided and method for making. There are utilized aromatic bis(etheranhydride) and diaminobenzanilide or mixtures thereof with an organicdiamine. The polyetheramideimide has been found to have improved solvent resistance.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with a method for plasticizing polyetherimide polymers with a reactive bisimide plasticizer. This invention also provides novel plasticized polyetherimide blends and rigid polyetherimide blends which are obtained by polymerizing the reactive bisimide plasticizer to form an interpenetrating matrix polymer. The plasticized blends exhibit melt viscosities and glass transition temperatures lower than those associated with the polyetherimide component of the blends. The rigid blends exhibit higher dimensional stability than polyetherimides. The blends produced are suitable for the manufacture of filaments, composites, fibers, films, molding compounds, coatings, etc.

Abstract: Heterocyclic quaternary ammonium salts such as N,N-di-n-butylpiperidinium bromide are excellent phase transfer agents for the preparation of aromatic ethers, as by the reaction of the disodium salt of bisphenol A with 4-nitro-N-methylphthalimide.

Abstract: Bis-quaternary ammonium and phosphonium salts such as bis(tri-n-butyl)-1,6-hexylenediammonium dibromide are excellent phase transfer agents for the preparation of aromatic ether imides, as by the reaction of the disodium salt of bisphenol A with 4-nitro-N-methylphthalimide.

Abstract: A method for making aromatic ether imides is provided by effecting the displacement of reactive radicals on a phthalimide nucleus with a mono- or bis-alkali metal phenoxide in the presence of a nonpolar solvent and a phase transfer catalyst, such as a triorganoborate. The aromatic ether imide made by the present invention are useful intermediates for making aromatic ether anhydrides and aromatic bis(ether anhydrides).

Abstract: A method is provided for making aromatic ether imides in the substantial absence of a solvent. A mixture of at least one halo-substituted phthalimide and at least one anhydrous alkali metal phenoxide salt is heated at a temperature at least sufficient to convert the halo-substituted phthalimide to the molten state and below the temperature at which the alkali metal phenoxide is thermally unstable.

Abstract: A method is provided for making aromatic bis(etherimide)s by effecting reaction between an aromatic bisphenoxide salt and a nitro-substituted N-alkyl phthalimide in the presence of a non-polar organic solvent and an effective amount of a phase transfer catalyst. There is utilized as the phase transfer catalyst, a mixture of a dipolar aprotic solvent and a polyvalent metal salt such as zinc chloride.