Abstract: A process and system for the precipitation of poly(phenylene ether) is described. Precipitated poly(phenylene ether) obtained by the processes disclosed herein are in the form of poly(phenylene ether) particles having a bulk density of 150 to 500 kg/m3, preferably 250 to 500 kg/m3.

Abstract: A method for preparing a poly(phenylene ether) includes feeding air to a continuous flow reactor that contains a reaction mixture including a phenol, a transition metal catalyst, and an organic solvent; and oxidatively polymerizing the reaction mixture at a specified temperature and pressure to form a poly(phenylene ether). The reaction mixture has a residence time in the continuous flow reactor of less than or equal to 30 minutes. Poly(phenylene ether)s prepared by the method and articles including the poly(phenylene ether)s are also described.

Abstract: A method for sulfonation of poly(phenylene ether) can comprise: dissolving a poly(phenylene ether) comprising 2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether units, 2,3,6-trimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether units, 3,3?,5,5?-tetramethyl-4,4?-dihydroxybiphenyl ether units, or a combination thereof in a mixture of 1,2-dichloroethane and a cosolvent to form a solvent mixture in a mixing vessel, wherein the cosolvent comprises at least one of methyl ethyl ketone, diethyl ether, methyl ethyl sulfone, ethyl acetate, or tetramethylene sulfone; combining a sulfonating agent with the solvent mixture, wherein the sulfonating agent reacts with the poly(phenylene ether) to form sulfonated poly(phenylene ether); precipitating the sulfonated poly(phenylene ether); and filtering the precipitated sulfonated poly(phenylene ether) to form a sulfonated poly(phenylene ether) precipitate and a filtrate; wherein the sulfonated poly(phenylene ether) has a sulfonation level of 20 to 50%.

Abstract: A method for preparing a poly(phenylene ether) includes feeding an oxygen-containing gas phase to a single continuous flow reactor containing a reaction mixture, and oxidatively polymerizing the reaction mixture to form a poly(phenylene ether) in the single reactor. The reaction mixture includes a phenol, a transition metal catalyst, and an organic solvent. A poly(phenylene ether) made by the method and articles including the poly(phenylene ether) are also disclosed. Methods for quantifying phenol concentration and poly(phenylene ether) molecular weight in the reaction mixture are also discussed.

Abstract: A functional phenylene ether oligomer of the structure wherein Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, x, y, and R are as defined herein. A curable composition includes the functional phenylene ether oligomer, and a thermoset composition includes a cured product derived from the curable composition.

Abstract: A process for forming a capped poly(arylene ether) copolymer, the process comprising: combining an acid catalyst and an uncapped poly(arylene ether) composition comprising an uncapped poly(arylene ether) copolymer comprising a phenolic end group ortho-substituted with a (C1-C12-hydrocarbyl)(C1-C12-hydrocarbyl)aminomethylene group, to form a first reaction mixture; reacting the (C1-C12-hydrocarbyl)(C1-C12-hydrocarbyl)aminomethylene group of the uncapped poly(arylene ether) copolymer in the presence of the acid catalyst under conditions effective to cleave a (C1-C12-hydrocarbyl)(C1-C12-hydrocarbyl)amino group from the uncapped poly(arylene ether) copolymer, to form a second reaction mixture; adding a nucleophilic catalyst and a capping agent to the second reaction mixture; and reacting the capping agent and the uncapped poly(arylene ether) copolymer under conditions effective to provide a product mixture comprising the capped poly(arylene ether) copolymer; preferably wherein the (C1-C6-hydrocarbyl)(C1-C6-hydroc

Abstract: A process and system for the precipitation of poly(phenylene ether) is described. Precipitated poly(phenylene ether) obtained by the processes disclosed herein are in the form of poly(phenylene ether) particles having a bulk density of 150 to 500 kg/m3, preferably 250 to 500 kg/m3.

Abstract: A method for preparing a poly(phenylene ether) includes feeding air to a continuous flow reactor that contains a reaction mixture including a phenol, a transition metal catalyst, and an organic solvent; and oxidatively polymerizing the reaction mixture at a specified temperature and pressure to form a poly(phenylene ether). The reaction mixture has a residence time in the continuous flow reactor of less than or equal to 30 minutes. Poly(phenylene ether)s prepared by the method and articles including the poly(phenylene ether)s are also described.

Abstract: A functional phenylene ether oligomer of the structure wherein Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, x, y, and R are as defined herein. A curable composition includes the functional phenylene ether oligomer, and a thermoset composition includes a cured product derived from the curable composition.

Abstract: A thermoset polymer product comprising 4,4?-(((3-oxo-isoindoline-1,1-diyl)bis(4,1-arylene))bis(oxy))dibenzonitrile units of formula (2) wherein the units are derived from a 4,4?-(((3-oxo-isoindoline-1,1-diyl)bis(4,1-arylene))bis(oxy))diphthalonitrile monomer of formula (1) wherein R is a C1-25 hydrocarbyl, preferably a C1-6 alkyl, a phenyl, or a phenyl substituted with up to five C1-6 alkyl groups, more preferably a C1-3 alkyl or a phenyl; each occurrence of R2 and R3 is independently a hydrogen, a halogen, or a C1-25 hydrocarbyl, preferably a hydrogen, a halogen, or a C1-6 alkyl, more preferably a hydrogen or a C1-3 alkyl; p and q are each independently 0 to 4, preferably 0 or 1, more preferably 0; and G is a residue of a cyano group, and is a C1-25 hydrocarbyl linking group having a valence of at least 2.

Abstract: A thermosetting composition, comprising a 4,4?-(((3-oxo-2-hydrocarbylisoindoline-1,1-diyl)bis(4,1-arylene))bis(oxy)) diphthalonitrile compound of formula (1) wherein R is a C1-12 hydrocarbyl, preferably a C1-6 alkyl or a C6-12 aryl; each occurrence of R2 and R3 is independently a hydrogen, a halogen, or a C1-25 hydrocarbyl, preferably hydrogen or a C1-6 alkyl, more preferably a hydrogen or C1-3 alkyl; and p and q are each independently 0 to 4, preferably 0 or 1, more preferably 0.

Abstract: A 4,4?-(((3-oxo-isoindoline-1,1-diyl)bis(4,1-arylene))bis(oxy))diphthalonitrile compound of formula (1) wherein each occurrence of R1 is independently a hydrogen, a phenyl, or a C1-6 alkyl, more preferably a hydrogen or a C1-3 alkyl; each occurrence of R2 and R3 is independently a hydrogen, a halogen, or a C1-25 hydrocarbyl, preferably a hydrogen or a C1-6 alkyl, more preferably a hydrogen or a C1-3 alkyl; and r, p, and q are each independently 0 to 4, preferably 0 or 1, more preferably 0.

Abstract: A phenylene ether oligomer is prepared by a process that includes partially converting 2,6-dimethylphenol to 3,3?,5,5?-tetramethyl-4,4?-dihydroxybiphenyl and/or 3,3?,5,5?-tetramethyldiphenoquinone, converting the residual 2,6 dimethylphenol to poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) and any 3,3?,5,5?-tetramethyl-4,4?-dihydroxybiphenyl to 3,3?,5,5?-tetramethyldiphenoquinone, and reacting the poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) and 3,3?,5,5?-tetramethyldiphenoquinone to form the phenylene ether oligomer. The preparation can be conducted without isolation of intermediates.

Abstract: A phenylene ether oligomer is prepared by a process that includes partially converting 2,6-dimethylphenol to 3,3?,5,5?-tetramethyl-4,4?-dihydroxybiphenyl and/or 3,3?,5,5?-tetramethyldiphenoquinone, converting the residual 2,6 dimethylphenol to poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) and any 3,3?,5,5?-tetramethyl-4,4?-dihydroxybiphenyl to 3,3?,5,5?-tetramethyldiphenoquinone, and reacting the poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) and 3,3?,5,5?-tetramethyldiphenoquinone to form the phenylene ether oligomer. The preparation can be conducted without isolation of intermediates.

Abstract: A poly(arylene ether)-polysiloxane multiblock copolymer is prepared by the reaction of a hydroxy-diterminated poly(arylene ether), a hydroxyaryl-diterminated polysiloxane, and an aromatic diacid chloride. This synthesis overcomes disadvantages of known syntheses of poly(arylene ether)-polysiloxane block copolymers. The poly(arylene ether)-polysiloxane multiblock copolymer is useful for improving the melt processability of poly(arylene ether) compositions.

Abstract: A poly(arylene ether)-polysiloxane multiblock copolymer is prepared by the reaction of a hydroxy-diterminated poly(arylene ether), a hydroxyaryl-diterminated polysiloxane, and an aromatic diacid chloride. This synthesis overcomes disadvantages of known syntheses of poly(arylene ether)-polysiloxane block copolymers. The poly(arylene ether)-polysiloxane multiblock copolymer is useful for improving the melt processibility of poly(arylene ether) compositions.