Abstract: A process for the production of branched polymers of arylene sulfide in which a reaction mixture of (1) at least one p-dihalobenzene, (2) at least one alkali metal sulfide, (3) at least one organic amide, (4) water in an amount of about 1.0 mole to about 2.4 moles per mole of alkali metal sulfide, and (5) at least one alkali metal carboxylate is contacted under polymerization conditions for a time sufficient to form arylene sulfide polymer and the arylene sulfide polymer formed in said reaction mixture is contacted under polymerization conditions with a polyhaloaromatic compound having more than two halogen substituents per molecule for a time having a range of up to about 75 minutes before entering upon termination of the polymerization process. An embodiment of the process in which the alkali metal sulfide is produced in situ by the reaction of an excess of alkali metal hydroxide with alkali metal hydrosulfide.

Abstract: Alkali metal aminoalkanoate is prepared by contacting in the presence of an alkali metal carboxylate a reaction mixture in which there is at least one alkali metal hydroxide, at least one lactam, and water. Arylene sulfide polymer is prepared by contacting at polymerization conditions a reaction mixture that contains at least one alkali metal aminoalkanoate prepared as described above; at least one polyhalo-substituted aromatic compound; at least one organic amide as solvent and H.sub.2 S. In an embodiment of the polymerization the organic amide used as solvent can be the same as the lactam from which the alkali metal aminoalkanoate was produced.

Abstract: A polymer blend comprising a polyamide and a small effective amount of a poly(arylene sulfide) resin. The addition of the poly(arylene sulfide) resin improves the properties of the polyamide and, especially, the molding characteristics of polyamides.

Abstract: A process for the production of branched polymers of arylene sulfide in which a reaction mixture of (1) at least one p-dihalobenzene, (2) at least one alkali metal sulfide, (3) at least one organic amide, (4) water in an amount of about 1.0 mole to about 2.4 moles per mole of alkali metal sulfide, and (5) at least one alkali metal carboxylate is contacted under polymerization conditions for a time sufficient to form arylene sulfide polymer and the arylene sulfide polymer formed in said reaction mixture is contacted under polymerization conditions with a polyhaloaromatic compound having more than two halogen substituents per molecule for a time having a range of up to about 75 minutes before entering upon termination of the polymerization process. An embodiment of the process in which the alkali metal sulfide is produced in situ by the reaction of an excess of alkali metal hydroxide with alkali metal hydrosulfide.

Abstract: Terephthalic acid and a diamine, always including 5-methyl-1,9-nonanediamine, and a lower fatty acid, e.g., acetic acid, are admixed with water, the water is evaporated, the concentrated mixture is heated (100.degree.-200.degree. C., 1/2-2 hrs.); then heated further (125.degree.-295.degree. C., 1/2-3 hrs., autogenous pressure up to 150-600 psig) with venting as needed; decompressed to atmospheric pressure (1/4-2 hrs., 245.degree.-295.degree. C.); and heated (270.degree.-295.degree. C., 1/2-2 hrs.) to produce a polyamide having good acid and basic dye receptivity, inherent viscosity, melt spinning and drawing characteristics. An isomeric mixture of diamines containing 5-methyl-1,9-nonanediamine, and 2,4-dimethyl-1,8-octanediamine, 2,4,6-trimethyl-1,7-heptanediamine and/or 4-isopropyl-1,7-heptanediamine can be the starting 5-methyl-1,9-nonanediamine-furnishing material. The diamine-furnishing material contains at least one principal diamine component having the formula H.sub.2 NRNH.sub.

Abstract: Branched arylene sulfide polymers of low melt flow are produced by employing (1) a p-dihalobenzene, (2) a polyhalo aromatic compound having more than two halogen substituents per molecule, (3) an alkali metal sulfide, (4) an N-alkyl lactam, and (5) controlled amounts of water in the presence or absence of a sodium carboxylate. The resulting polymers without prior curing can be fabricated into shaped products having desirable properties.

Abstract: Normally solid, moldable polyamides having diamine-derived structural units of the formula ##STR1## wherein each A is individually selected from the group consisting of 5-methylnonamethylene, 2,4-dimethyloctamethylene, 2,4,6-trimethylheptamethylene, and 4-isopropylheptamethylene; first diacid-derived structural units of the formula ##STR2## and second diacid-derived structural units of the formula ##STR3## wherein X is a divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon radical containing from 14 to 46 carbon atoms. Minor amounts of other polyamide-forming materials can be included in the copolyamide to provide up to 30 percent of the nitrogen atoms and up to 30 percent of the carbonyl groups. When used as adhesives, these copolyamides possess very good initial T-peel strength.

Abstract: N,N-disubstituted thioamides are prepared by contacting N,N-disubstituted amides with carbon disulfide or carbon oxysulfide under suitable reaction conditions. In a preferred embodiment, the reactants are contacted at a temperature of at least about 200.degree. C and a pressure sufficient to maintain the reactants in the liquid phase at the reaction temperature.