Abstract: A method of manufacture of a polyetherimide copolymer composition includes contacting a substituted phthalic anhydride and an organic diamine in the presence of diphenyl sulfone, sulfolane, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing solvents at a temperature of greater than 130° C. to provide a bis(phthalimide) composition comprising diphenyl sulfone, sulfolane, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing solvents and a bis(phthalimide); and copolymerizing the bis(phthalimide), a substituted aromatic compound, and an alkali metal salt of a dihydroxy aromatic compound in the presence of diphenyl sulfone, sulfolane, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing to form a polyetherimide copolymer. The method does not require any catalyst either for the imidization or the polymerization.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of a polyetherimide composition includes contacting a substituted phthalic anhydride and an organic diamine in the presence of diphenyl sulfone, sulfolane, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing solvents at a temperature of greater than 130° C. to provide a bis(phthalimide) composition comprising diphenyl sulfone, sulfolane, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing solvents and a bis(phthalimide); and polymerizing the bis(phthalimide) and an alkali metal salt of a dihydroxy aromatic compound in the presence of diphenyl sulfone, sulfolane, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing to form a polyetherimide. The method does not require any catalyst either for the imidization or the polymerization.

Abstract: A polyimide composition includes 1 to 99 weight percent, preferably 70 to 99 weight percent, more preferably 75 to 95 weight percent of a first polyimide; and 1 to 99 weight percent, preferably 1 to 30 weight percent, more preferably 2 to 25 weight percent of a second polyimide, wherein the first polyimide and the second polyimide are different, and wherein the polyimide composition has a melt flow rate that is greater than a melt flow rate of the first polyimide and less than a melt flow rate of the second polyimide; an apparent viscosity that is less than an apparent viscosity of the first polyimide and less than an apparent viscosity of the second polyimide; and a notched Izod impact strength that is greater than a notched Izod impact strength of the first polyimide and greater than a notched Izod impact strength of the second polyimide.

Abstract: A method of making a polyetherimide including: setting a target range for the anhydride-amine stoichiometry in a reaction mixture; combining a solvent, a diamine, a bis(ether anhydride), and an optional end capping agent to form the reaction mixture wherein the reaction mixture has a polyamic acid content; analyzing the amine and anhydride end group content of the reaction mixture using near infrared vibrational spectroscopy; calculating the anhydride-amine stoichiometry; comparing the calculated anhydride-amine stoichiometry to the target stoichiometry, and, when necessary, adjusting the concentration of bis(ether anhydride) or diamine based on the comparison of the calculated anhydride-amine stoichiometry to the target stoichiometry.

Abstract: A ureido-pyrimidinone oligomer having the formula (I) wherein each Z? is independently the same or different, and is a substituted or unsubstituted straight or branched chain C1-10 alkyl, each R1 is independently the same or different, and is a substituted or unsubstituted straight or branched chain C1-20 alkylene, substituted or unsubstituted C2-20 alkenylene, substituted or unsubstituted C3-8 cycloalkylene, or substituted or unsubstituted C6-18 arylene, each V is independently the same or different, and is a substituted or unsubstituted tetravalent C4-40 hydrocarbon group, each R is independently the same or different, and is a substituted or unsubstituted C1-24 divalent hydrocarbon group; and n has an average value of 2 to 50, preferably 3 to 40, more preferably 5 to 30.

Abstract: A polyimide oligomer of the formula wherein G is a group having a valence of t, each R is independently a C1-30 divalent bridging group, a C1-20 alkylene-X, or a C6-30 arylene-X wherein —X is —O-M?, —C(O)O-M?, —OC(O)O-M?, —S-M?, —S(O)2-M?, —S(O)3-M?, —OS(O)3-M?, or —OP(O)3-M? wherein each M? is independently Li, Na, K, Cs, Mg, Ca, Sr, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, B, Al, Ga, In, Ge, Sn, Pb, As, or Sb, provided that at least one R is C1-20 alkylene-X or C6-30 arylene-X, q is 0 or 1, m is 0 or 1, d is 0 or 1, p is 1 or 2, t is 1 to 6, and each n is independently 1 to 1,000, the total of all values of n is greater than 4, the polyimide oligomer is thermoplastic, and Q, M, D, and V are as provided herein.

Abstract: A poly(aryl ether sulfone) comprises units of formula (I): wherein Ar1 is a divalent C6-C15 aromatic group, Ar2 is a divalent C6-C15 aromatic group, Ar3 is a divalent C6-C15 aromatic group, and n is greater than 1; and a terminal group of formula (II) derived from a monofunctional phenoxide wherein is X is a hydrogen atom or an organic substituent having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; wherein the poly(aryl ether sulfone) has a hydroxyl group content greater than 0 and less than 50 parts per million (ppm), based on the poly(aryl ether sulfone) weight, a glass transition temperature of 180 to 290° C., a weight average molecular weight of 20,000 to 100,000, a halogen content of greater than 0 and less than 3000 ppm based on the poly(aryl ether sulfone) weight. The poly(aryl ether sulfone) is free of methoxy groups.

Abstract: A polyetherimide composition includes a polyetherimide and two or more of a residual metal content, a sulfate anion, a phosphate anion, a nitrite anion, a nitrate anion, or a combination including at least one of the foregoing, a residual solvent content, a phosphorus-containing stabilizer, and alkali metal halide, alkaline earth metal halide, alkali metal carbonate, or a combination including at least one of the foregoing, wherein each of the aforementioned components, when present, is included in the composition in a particular amount. The resulting polyetherimide composition exhibits two or more useful properties. The polyetherimide composition can optionally further be combined with a polymer different from the polyetherimide to provide a thermoplastic composition. Methods of making the polyetherimide composition and articles including the polyetherimide composition are also described.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of a polyetherimide copolymer composition includes contacting a substituted phthalic anhydride and an organic diamine in the presence of diphenyl sulfone, sulfolane, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing solvents at a temperature of greater than 130° C. to provide a bis(phthalimide) composition comprising diphenyl sulfone, sulfolane, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing solvents and a bis(phthalimide); and copolymerizing the bis(phthalimide), a substituted aromatic compound, and an alkali metal salt of a dihydroxy aromatic compound in the presence of diphenyl sulfone, sulfolane, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing to form a polyetherimide copolymer. The method does not require any catalyst either for the imidization or the polymerization.

Abstract: A polyetherimide film comprising a fluoropolymer and an extruded polyetherimide comprising units derived from polymerization of an aromatic dianhydride with a diamine selected from a meta-phenylene diamine, a para-phenylene diamine, and a combination thereof, wherein the polyetherimide is endcapped with an a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic primary monoamine; and wherein the polyetherimide film comprises at least 90 weight % of the polyetherimide before extrusion.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of a polyetherimide composition includes contacting a substituted phthalic anhydride and an organic diamine in the presence of diphenyl sulfone, sulfolane, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing solvents at a temperature of greater than 130° C. to provide a bis(phthalimide) composition comprising diphenyl sulfone, sulfolane, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing solvents and a bis(phthalimide); and polymerizing the bis(phthalimide) and an alkali metal salt of a dihydroxy aromatic compound in the presence of diphenyl sulfone, sulfolane, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing to form a polyetherimide. The method does not require any catalyst either for the imidization or the polymerization.

Abstract: A polyetherimide film comprising a fluoropolymer and an extruded polyetherimide comprising units derived from polymerization of an aromatic dianhydride with a diamine selected from a meta-phenylene diamine, a para-phenylene diamine, and a combination thereof, wherein the polyetherimide is endcapped with an a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic primary monoamine; and wherein the polyetherimide film comprises at least 90 weight % of the polyetherimide before extrusion.

Abstract: A uniaxially-stretched, high yield extruded film comprising a polyetherimide comprising units derived from polymerization of an aromatic dianhydride with a diamine selected from a meta-phenylene diamine, a para-phenylene diamine, and a combination thereof, wherein the polyetherimide is endcapped with an a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic primary monoamine; and wherein the high yield extruded film comprises at least 90 weight % of the polyetherimide before extrusion.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of a bis(phthalimide) composition includes reacting, in the presence of molten diphenyl sulfone, sulfolane, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing, a substituted phthalic anhydride with an organic diamine. The product mixture can be directly employed in the preparation of polyetherimides and other polyether polymers.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of a polyetherimide composition includes contacting a substituted phthalic anhydride and an organic diamine in the presence of diphenyl sulfone, sulfolane, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing solvents at a temperature of greater than 130° C. to provide a bis(phthalimide) composition comprising diphenyl sulfone, sulfolane, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing solvents and a bis(phthalimide); and polymerizing the bis(phthalimide) and an alkali metal salt of a dihydroxy aromatic compound in the presence of diphenyl sulfone, sulfolane, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing to form a polyetherimide. The method does not require any catalyst either for the imidization or the poly merization.

Abstract: Methods to grow, provide and plant a young tree using a novel removable tubular container are disclosed. The container promotes the growth of a well formed protected root structure that minimizes transplant shock at the time the young tree is moved and permanently planted. The removable container and methods described provide for a fast growing inexpensive tree that is easily planted by a single person.

Abstract: A composition is described, which comprises a crystallizable polyetherimide derived from the polymerization of: (a) a dianhydride component, comprising more than 96.8 mole % of 4,4?-bisphenol A dianhydride or a chemical equivalent thereof; and (b) a diamine component comprising a diamine or a chemical equivalent thereof, wherein the crystallizable polyetherimide has a Tm ranging from 250° C. to 400° C. and the difference between the Tm and Tg of the composition is more than 50° C. Further described are articles, such as fibers, made from the composition, methods for making the composition, methods for making the articles, and methods for using the articles.

Abstract: Polyetherimide compositions of formula (1) are described wherein the polyetherimide compositions comprise a polyetherimide comprising a reacted combination of alkali metal salts comprising an alkali metal salt of a dihydroxy aromatic compound and an alkali metal salt of a monohydroxy aromatic compound with a bis(halophthalimide), wherein the alkali metal salt of the monohydroxy aromatic compound is included in an amount of more than 0 and less than 5 mole percent, based on the total moles of the alkali metal salts, and the polyetherimide has a weight average molecular weight greater than or equal to 43,000 Daltons. The polyetherimide exhibits lower levels of chlorine and chlorine end groups, lower levels of bis(halophthalimide) and bis(phthalimide), and low plate-out during manufacturing.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition comprises a polymer blend. The polymer blend comprises a first polyimide and a second polyimide. The first polyimide has repeating units derived from a first dianhydride and a first diamine. The second polyimide has repeating units derived from a second dianhydride and a second diamine. Either the first dianhydride and the second dianhydride are the same or the first diamine and the second diamine are the same.

Abstract: Polyetherimide compositions are described wherein the polyetherimide composition comprises a polyetherimide comprising a reacted combination of alkali metal salts comprising an alkali metal salt of a dihydroxy aromatic compound and an alkali metal salt of a monohydroxy aromatic compound with a bis(halophthalimide), wherein the alkali metal salt of the monohydroxy aromatic compound is included in an amount of greater or equal to 5 mole percent based on the total moles of the alkali metal salts, and the polyetherimide has a weight average molecular weight less than 43,000 Daltons. The polyetherimide exhibits lower levels of chlorine and chlorine end groups, lower levels of bis(halophthalimide) and bis(phthalimide), and low plate-out during manufacturing.